Diarrhoea has continued to spread in different areas of the district for the last six days and hospitals are seeing an increase in the number of patients suffering from the disease.

Diarrhoea is a gastrointestinal infection that is caused by a variety of bacterial, viral and parasitic organisms. "It is generally spread through contaminated food or drinking water or as a result of poor hygiene," said doctors of Adhunik Sadar Hospital.

Mariam Khatun, nursing supervisor of the diarrhoea ward in the hospital, said over 44 people, mostly children and women, were admitted to the hospital between Friday 1:00pm and 1:00pm yesterday. Two hundred and thirty-nine patients took treatment from Tuesday until 1:00pm yesterday.

When this correspondent visited Sadar Hospital on Saturday, he saw that many diarrhoea patients are staying on the floor of the hospital corridor due to lack of accommodation.

Ayeshuddin, 57, a diarrhoea patient from Namo Rajarampur in the town, said he is staying on the floor of the hospital as all the beds are filled up.

Around 50 patients have been coming to the hospital every day for the last six days, but the hospital authorities cannot provide them with accommodation at the 12-bed ward meant for diarrhoea patients, Mariam said.

Although oral saline, IV fluid and necessary medicines are available at the hospital, they are facing problems in dealing with the growing number of patients due shortage of manpower, she added.

Mariam said 30 to 40 people attacked by diarrhoea come to the outdoor section every day. The doctors are providing healthcare services for them, doctors said.

Sadar Hospital Resident Medical Officer Dr Nadim Sarkar said there is no shortage of oral saline, IV fluid and necessary medicines in the hospital. Most people have been attacked by diarrhoea after drinking contaminated water and also due to changing of the season, he added.

The municipal authorities are telling the people to drink boiled water.