Ferozepur, Feb. 28 -- The detection of rodent droppings and dead pigeons inside a village water tank has triggered panic in Hazra Singh Wala, a border village in Ferozepur district, where a suspected jaundice outbreak has claimed the life of a 12-year-old girl and left several others - mostly children - ill.

Health authorities have confirmed at least 19 cases of leptospirosis, a potentially serious bacterial infection believed to have spread through drinking water contaminated by the urine of rodents, dogs and cattle.

Preliminary testing of drinking water sources conducted on Saturday raised serious concerns. Of the 12 samples collected, most failed initial quality checks, indicating widespread contamination across the village's supply ...