Kathmandu, August 26

Though the number of diarrhoea patients being admitted to Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Diseases Hospital in Teku is gradually declining, cases of cholera have not yet come under full control.

Dr Sher Bahadur Pun said patients continue to visit the hospital with cholera symptoms such as watery diarrhoea, vomiting and muscle cramp.

“We received three patients with such symptoms from Lalitpur today. We suspect cholera is spreading in Lalitpur, mainly some parts of Sanepa. The male-female ratio of patients is nearly 55-45,” he told The Himalayan Times.

Since cholera was first detected in Kalimati area on July 26, it has spread to morea than a dozen places in the Valley, including Kuleshwor, Soalteemode, Kalanki, Om Bahal, Naradevi, Chhetrapati, Mulpani and Patan.

Dr Pun said that at least 60 cases of cholera were confirmed in the Valley. Some cases were confirmed in Om Bahal and Chhetrapati areas that were previously unaffected.

Many other patients are believed to be visiting private hospitals for treatment. “Those who can pay higher bills usually visit private hospitals. Therefore, we can estimate that cases of cholera could be three time higher than what we have recorded in government hospital,” he said, adding that patients testing positive for cholera are discharged within three to four days depending on the rate of recovery.

He said no death was reported in connection with cholera thus far, thanks to timely treatment and easy access to hospitals in urban areas.

More than 400 patients aged 5-74 with cholera symptoms have received treatment from STIH after the monsoon started in the country.

Nearly 20 per cent patients admitted to the hospital tested positive for cholera this year compared to around 5 per cent last year. Dr Pun advised the denizens to use boiled or chlorine-treated water to prevent the disease and to visit the hospital as and when they develop any symptom of the disease.

“Use of unsafe water, poor sanitation and personal hygiene are the main reasons that cause the disease to spread during rainy season,” he warned.

Cholera 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. This can lead to death if untreated within 24 hours.