Record Outbreaks of Acute Diarrheal Disease in India

India saw a record number of outbreaks of acute diarrheal disease (ADD) in 2024, the highest number of cases since records were first tracked in 2009. The federal health ministry's latest surveillance report said more than 1,000 ADD outbreaks had been reported in the country as of December 22, in addition to over 300 cases of food poisoning—the highest since 2019. This shocking increase mirrors increasing public health threats linked to tainted food and water sources in the world's largest country.

Mysterious Spike During Global Disease Rebound
Although one of the most prevalent infectious diseases in India, the recent increase in ADD cases has been cause for concern because of its record-breaking magnitude. Experts point to several reasons for this increase, such as post-pandemic disease rebound, climate change, healthcare inequalities, and environmental pollution.^[1] A worldwide survey by a forecasting company Airfinity, discovered that 44 governments reported a tenfold rise in at least one infectious disease outbreak above pre-pandemic levels. ^[1] The trend points to the intricate and interconnected factors that are driving the increasing infectious disease burden globally.

Increasing Severity and Antibiotic Resistance

While ADD is generally not fatal for most patients, a significant rise in severe cases has been observed. He suggests that antibiotic overuse may be exacerbating the severity of infections by promoting antimicrobial resistance, thereby prolonging illness duration and complicating treatment outcomes. The World Health Organization (WHO) points to bacterial and viral pathogens as frequent causes of ADD, which include Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, rotavirus, and norovirus. ^[2]

Association with Guillain-Barré Syndrome Outbreak
One cause for concern that has been associated with the outbreak of ADD is the outbreak of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in Pune, western India. To date, as of early 2025, there have been reported more than 180 confirmed and 28 suspected cases, a tenfold rise from years past. The city authorities are probing a link between the outbreak and water contaminated with Campylobacter jejuni, a bacterium responsible for causing gastrointestinal infections.

References

1. Bloomberg News & Airfinity. (2024). Global resurgence of infectious diseases post-COVID-19. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com

2. World Health Organization. (2024). Diarrheal disease fact sheet. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diarrhoeal-disease

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Pragati Sakhuja/MSM)