Kathmandu, August 16 Epidemiology and Disease Control Division under the Department of Health Services has confirmed a total of 68 cholera (Vibrio cholerae Ogawa 01) cases in the Kathmandu Valley since the onset of monsoon. The samples were tested positive by National Public Health Laboratory, Teku and the cases are from mainly from different areas of Kathmandu and Lalitpur. Health officials said nearly half of the water samples collected from affected settlements of Harisiddhi, Godavari, Balkumari, Jawalakhel, Dhapakhel and Thaiba of Lalitpur, and Kalimati, Tripureshwor and Bafal of Kathmandu, among others, were found to be contaminated with E. coli and other coliform bacteria. As many as 68 out of around 2,000 diarroheal patient, who visited various hospitals in the Valley and received treatment tested positive for cholera. According to Sukraraj Trophical and Infestious Disease Hospital, an average of 15 diarroheal patients are receiving treatment in the health facility daily. Most of the patients come to the hospital after developing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, headache and loose motion, among others. EDCD informed that new 10 cases of cholera were being reported each week. Since cholera was first detected in early July, it has spread to more than a dozen places. Health officials are carrying out epidemiological and environmental investigations along with water and sanitation activities in coordination with district public health offices and partners, it claimed. However, no death has been reported in connection with cholera so far, thanks to timely treatment and easy access to hospitals in urban areas. Cholera cases are usually reported from mid-July till mid-November. Use of unsafe water, and poor sanitation and personal hygiene are attributed to the spread of the disease during rainy season. READ ALSO: 76 test positive for scrub typhus