Abstract

A systematic study was conducted to investigate the causes of gastroenteritis in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad during June, 2010. Of 220 individuals, 180 cases of gastroenteritis (81.8%) were recorded, compared to an average 18 monthly cases. Case study revealed that, illness was associated with drinking tap and poor filtered water. Enterococci were recovered from both gastroenteritis patients and water samples. Bacteriological analysis of 50 water samples showed that more than 80% of samples deviate from the WHO standards. This is an issue of public health significance and appropriate steps are required on behalf of authorities to address it.