Diarrhoea is described by the World Health Organization as the passing of three or more loose or liquid stools per day (or more frequent passage than is normal for the individual). It usually lasts a few days and might lead to dehydration as a result of fluid loss.

The most common cause is gastroenteritis, which is an infection of the intestines caused by a virus, bacteria, or parasite.

These illnesses are frequently acquired through feces-contaminated food or water, or through direct contact with an infected person.

Improved sanitation, clean drinking water, and hand washing with soap can all help to prevent diarrhoea.

Since 2014, the Intensive Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) has been held with the goal of "reducing the number of deaths due to diarrhoea in children to zero."

This fortnight is held specifically during the summer/monsoon season to allow for the implementation of preventative measures.

IDCF is a series of activities that will be conducted in a more intensive manner across all States and UTs to prevent and control mortality caused by dehydration from diarrhoea.

These activities mainly include:

1. Increased advocacy and awareness-raising actions for diarrhoea management
2. Increasing the availability of diarrhoea case management services,
3. ORS-zinc corners are being established.
4. Asha's prepositioning of ORS in households with children under the age of five,
5. Hygiene and sanitation awareness-raising programmes.

The actions of field workers, such as ASHA, ANM, and anganwadi workers, have been one of the key activities within the IDCF programme.

Field workers visit the homes of families with children under the age of five to provide counselling and provide zinc and ORS sachets in the event of diarrhoea.

Through group meetings with mothers, they also promote sanitary measures, nursing techniques, and ORS preparation methods.

Source: PIB