Dangerous water and fungal diseases cause hair loss in Buldhana; Information from health officials ......... Buldhana : In the villages of Kalwad, Bondgaon, Kathora, Bhongaon, Hingna Vaijinath and Ghui under Shegaon taluka of the district, citizens were shocked by hair loss for the last two to three days. The frightened people did not know what to do. The women were especially scared. In this regard, on January 6, the first patient was found at the P.A. Center Bhongaon. After that, on January 7, a survey was conducted by the P.A. Center team. Seeing the increasing number of patients, information was submitted to the Taluka Health Officer and District Health Officer in this regard. On January 8, when the District Health Officer Dr. Amol Gite, along with the District Survey Officer, Dermatologist, IDSP team, Taluka Health Officer and Medical Officer visited the concerned villages and inspected, shocking information came to light. The number of bald people in Shegaon taluka of the district had reached 51 by this morning. In this, a total of 51 people are known to have been infected, including Bondgaon 19, Kalwad 15, Kathora 08, Bhongaon 04, Machhindrakhed- 05. For the last three days, the health system has been alarmed as cases of hair loss have come to light in some villages of Shegaon taluka. After this, the health team reached the village and took some samples for examination. The report of the water sample has been received. In this regard, District Health Officer Dr. Amol Gite gave information about this. He said, "The affected village area falls in the saline belt, where the nitrate content in the water is high. The water samples from the said village were sent for biological and chemical testing on 07/01/2025. The test report was received on 08/01/2025. The report showed Nitrates 54.08 ppm, Nitrates - 48.75 ppm and TDS 2110 ppm." The Dean, Government Medical College, Akola, has informed the Director, Health Services, Mumbai, via telephone, to conduct a survey through a team of special experts, namely Microbiologist/Physician/Pediatrician/Dermatologist/M. D. P. S. M./ and submit an objective report. As suggested by dermatologists, it will take the next 5 to 6 days to test water samples from various villages in Shegaon taluka for heavy metals like arsenic and lead in the water. District level and taluka level officers and employees will be working continuously in the area until the situation is brought under control. Survey in six villages: A team of the health department has reached the baldness-affected villages in Shegaon taluka. Dr. Prashant Tangde is camped in Shegaon taluka. A war-level survey is being conducted in the affected villages in Shegaon taluka. Villagers are being examined and water samples are being taken. The district health officer is closely monitoring this survey. Dr. Balaji Atrat, Medical Officer of Bhongaon Primary Health Center in Shegaon taluka, is also a dermatologist. He is taking samples of the affected villagers. He said that these samples will be sent to the Government Medical College in Akola for examination.