Nonihatwari (Dumka), Oct. 5: The death of a 25-year-old woman in Nonihatwari under Jama block this morning has triggered panic of a possible diarrhoea outbreak in the area.

Lilabati Kumari could not be taken to Sadar hospital and she died without treatment. But Dumka civil surgeon S.N. Jha was unaware of the death. “I do not have report of any casualty,” he said.

The anganwadi centre here has turned into a temporary hospital with about 15 cases of diarrhoea registered till this noon.

According to health staff at the anganwadi centre, 61 patients have been admitted since October 3 and over a dozen of them are critical and had been referred to Sadar hospital.

Shanker Mandal, the father of Lilabati, said all seven members of his family were suffering from diarrhoea and his brother Gour Mandal had been shifted to Sadar hospital.

Villagers alleged that contaminated water of the well was responsible for the spread of the disease. The well is the only source of water as all 11 tubewells of the PHED is lying defunct.

“About 10 days ago, a dog died near the well and its decomposed body lay there for some days which has contaminated the water,” a villager pointed out.

The civil surgeon said that adequate medicine and sufficient bleaching powder had been sent to the village. He claimed that the situation was under control and that all patients were out of danger.