29 cases of cholera confirmed in city

KATHMANDU, August 13

As many as 29 cases of cholera have been confirmed by the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division in Kathmandu since it was first reported on July 26.

Of the more than 200 stool samples referred to the National Public Health Laboratory, 29 tested positive for bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

Dr Baburam Marasini, EDCD director, told The Himalayan Times that 29 cases had tested positive, but said no cholera death had been reported. Diarrhoea patients who tested positive for cholera were admitted to Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Teku, for treatment. More than 75 per cent of the patients have been discharged after treatment.

Dr Marasini said most of the patients were from Kalimati, Kuleshwor, Soalteemode, Kalanki and Naikap.

They were rushed to the hospital after developing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache and loose motion, among others. More than 220 diarrhoea patients have received treatment from the hospital since July 26.

The EDCD had deployed a medical and technical team in vulnerable areas to investigate the situation on August 3. The team found that contaminated water was the only reason behind the outbreak. The team said poor sanitation and personal hygiene were factors that contributed to the spread of the disease.

The EDCD has sent 15 water sample collected from as many places to the laboratory for tests.

According to EDCD, District Public Health Office is using loudhailers to raise awareness about the virulent disease, besides broadcasting awareness message through radio.

Dr Marasini said rapid response teams have been put on high alert to cope with any untoward incident. Health officials have advised denizens to use boiled or chlorine-treated water to prevent the disease.

Cholera, a virulent disease, is caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The bacteria has a very short incubation period of two hours to five days.

According to World Health Organisation, cholera transmission is closely linked to inadequate environmental management.

Researchers have estimated there are 1.4 to 4.3 million cases of cholera every year and 28,000 to 142,000 deaths occur worldwide due to the disease.