E. coli in drinking water poses multi-organ failure risk:Diarrhoea strikes first, followed by vomiting as infection spreads from intestines to bloodstream

Water sustains life, but when contaminated with Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria, it can become deadly. The tragedy in Bhagirathpura, Indore, where 31 people have died, stands as a grim reminder of this danger. Adding to the concern, E. coli contamination has now also been detected in groundwater samples from parts of Bhopal, raising serious public health alarms. This report explains how E. coli affects the human body, the stages through which the infection progresses, and the symptoms that must be recognised early to prevent fatalities. Medical experts warn that E. coli infection damages the body in three critical stages. If treatment is delayed, the infection can progress to septicemia and multiple organ failure, often proving fatal. However, timely identification of symptoms and early medical intervention can control the illness effectively. Intestines are the first target According to senior nephrologists, coliform bacteria — known in medical terminology as gram-negative rods — include some of the most dangerous waterborne pathogens. Among them, E. coli and Vibrio cholerae pose the highest risk to human health. E. coli has two major disease-causing types: Enterotoxigenic E. coli, which produces toxins leading to severe diarrhoea Enteroinvasive E. coli, which invades and damages the intestinal wall These bacteria thrive in sewage and contaminated water. When sewage mixes with drinking water due to damaged pipelines or poor sanitation, the bacteria enter the body and directly attack the intestines, damaging the intestinal lining. Infection spreads from intestines to blood In the initial stage, E. coli disrupts the intestinal wall, leading to symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain. If untreated, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream, resulting in septicemia, a life-threatening blood infection. Severe diarrhoea and persistent vomiting often cause acute dehydration, which first affects the kidneys and can lead to kidney failure. Gradually, other vital organs — including the liver, lungs and heart — also begin to fail. In most fatal cases, multiple organ failure becomes the immediate cause of death. E. coli detected in Bhopal groundwater A test report dated December 22 revealed contamination in groundwater samples collected from Khanugaon, Adampur Cantonment and Vajpayee Nagar in Bhopal. Four samples failed quality tests, with E. coli bacteria detected in all of them. The same bacteria was identified in water samples from Bhagirathpura in Indore, where the death toll has risen sharply. The discovery of identical contamination in Bhopal has heightened concerns about a wider public health risk if immediate corrective measures are not taken. Early detection can save lives Health experts emphasise that early recognition of symptoms, safe drinking water, and rapid medical treatment are crucial to preventing deaths. Authorities have been urged to intensify water testing, repair leaking pipelines, and ensure uninterrupted supply of clean drinking water to vulnerable areas. The tragedy underscores a stark reality: unsafe water can turn a basic human necessity into a silent killer.