Kathmandu, August 23

At least 90 cases of cholera have been confirmed by the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division in the Kathmandu Valley since it was first reported on June 30.

This outbreak can be considered as one of the worst cholera outbreaks in the Valley in recent years. The number of cases reported so far this monsoon has already surpassed last year’s cholera tally of 80 from July to September.

According to health officials, of the over 500 stool samples referred to the National Public Health Laboratory, 90 tested positive for cholera. However, no cholera death has been reported in the Valley so far.

Patients who tested positive for cholera were admitted to Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Teku, and other hospitals in the Valley for treatment. More than 90 per cent of the patients have been discharged after treatment.

The patients were rushed to the hospital after developing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache, and loose bowel movement, among others.

The EDCD had deployed a medical and technical team in vulnerable areas to investigate the situation. 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. Officials also sent water samples collected from more than 30 places to the laboratory for tests.

Health officials have advised denizens to use boiled or chlorine-treated water to prevent the disease. 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.

Rehydration therapy, which includes taking oral rehydration solution, is the recommended way to deal with the disease, along with antibiotics prescribed by doctors.