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750 Hospitalised in Astore as Cholera, Gastro Outbreak Spreads
Over 750 people hospitalised in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Astore after a cholera & gastroenteritis outbreak linked to contaminated water. Authorities rush to disinfect tanks & supply clean water. No deaths reported yet.
ND
by News Desk
2025-09-03
750 Hospitalised in Astore as Cholera, Gastro Outbreak Spreads

At least 750 people have been hospitalised with cholera and gastroenteritis in Gilgit-Baltistan’s (GB) Astore district over the past four days, raising alarm about the region’s unsafe water supply and deteriorating health conditions.

Astore’s District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. Nawab Ahmed Khan confirmed the numbers on Wednesday, saying that while 90 percent of the cases are now under control, the outbreak remains a major public health concern.

“I applied 60 drips to a single patient from morning until night,” Dr. Khan said, describing the scale of the crisis. “Several drips were also administered even after the patient left the hospital.”

The outbreak was first reported on August 30, when Astore’s District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital experienced a sudden influx of patients showing symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting. According to a report by the deputy commissioner (DC), patients mainly came from the areas of Pattipura, Lous, Chongrah, Eidgah, Government Colony, Gorikot, Parishing, and Shounter.

While no fatalities have been reported so far, the sheer number of cases placed immense pressure on local health facilities. On August 30, 80 cases were reported, with 150 more the following day. By September 1, the number had climbed to 450 at DHQ Astore and medical camps, with several patients referred to Gilgit for further treatment.

Contaminated Water Confirmed as Source

Investigations into the outbreak pointed to contaminated drinking water as the likely cause. Water supply lines and tanks were inspected on August 30–31, and samples collected for testing. Out of eight samples, four tested positive for cholera.

As a precautionary measure, water supplies were temporarily suspended while tanks were cleaned and disinfected. Authorities also arranged for water tankers and bottled water distribution, alongside implementing standard operating procedures to regularly chlorinate water tanks.

The DC’s report stated that “District Astore has moved from rapid escalation to early stabilisation, with case numbers declining today,” crediting coordinated efforts in medical response, water and sanitation interventions, and public awareness campaigns.

Broader Health Concerns in GB

The outbreak comes amid severe flooding in Gilgit-Baltistan during the ongoing monsoon season, which has worsened the shortage of clean drinking water. GB government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq said that districts including Diamer, Shigar, Skardu, Astore, and Gilgit are among the worst affected by unsafe water, with hospitals receiving new cases daily.

Children under five years old are particularly vulnerable. A government report highlighted that many have begun contracting cholera, diarrhoea, typhoid, and pneumonia — raising fears of a wider epidemic if water safety measures are not urgently enforced.

Health authorities have stressed that the root causes — infrastructure-related contamination and lapses in water chlorination — must be addressed on priority to prevent future outbreaks.

 
Tagged:

GilgitBaltistan

HealthCrisis

Astore

CholeraOutbreak
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