Kathmandu

The country is seeing an unusually high number of diarrhoeal cases. Dr Anup Bastola, Consultant Tropical Medicine Physician at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Teku, informs, “The number of patients is more than last year. There were a total of 500 diarrhoeal patients admitted in the hospital in the whole year

in 2016.”

According to Dr Bastola, there were 30 cases in Magh (January/February), 44 cases in Falgun (February/March), 54 cases in Chaitra (March/April), 70 cases in Baisakh (April/May) and 22 cases as of 8th of Jestha (May/June). From mid-March to May 22, 125 people have already been admitted and treated in the hospital due to diarrhoeal problems, as per

the doctor.

“Early rainfall, humidity and higher temperatures are the key causes for the rise of such cases,” says Dr Bastola.

“Water pipes have not been changed in years and this leads to pollution of safe drinking water. Migration, overcrowding and mobility of people have played a significant role in the rise in the cases,” as per the doctor.

He also lists the ongoing construction as one of the probable cases. “ Pollution has increased as a result. Food items kept in the open are more contaminated. And people eating those food items are falling ill,” he points out.

Our water sources are polluted too because of the haphazard construction of wells, tube wells and septic tanks. So when it rains, the liquids mix with one another contaminating drinking water. People are unaware of E coli bacteria, and consumption of water with this bacteria has been another problem. “Intake and use of water with E coli bacteria should be avoided as such water is contaminated with human faeces,” he warns.

Coliform bacteria are organisms that are present in the environment and in the faeces of animals and humans. Water with detectable coliform is unsafe to drink. Coliform should be below zero in 100 ml of water evaluated to be drinkable, as per the doctor.

Diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera and typhoid fever are quite common in such situations. Patients are likely to suffer from acute water diarrhoea, watery diarrhoea or dysentery. The weather is hot these days and bacteria produce toxins in foods. When such toxic food is consumed, there are high chances for one to suffer from food poisoning. “It can be experienced within hours after food consumption. One is likely to suffer from vomiting and pain in the stomach,” says Dr Bastola.

In addition, the season is favourable for flies to multiply. They are vectors — organisms that transmit a disease or parasite from one to other. “That is why people should not eat food items sold in open areas,” warns Dr Bastola.

There were 170 cases of cholera cases detected last year in the Capital, as per the doctor. However, cholera hasn’t broken out this year. But preventive measures are necessary. “If timely prevention is not carried out, there are chances for the same in the coming days,” warns Dr Bastola.

Prevent measures

• Drink boiled water
• Wash hands with soap and water - after using the toilet, before cooking and eating
• Do not eat stale food and food kept in the open air
• Eat healthy food items
• Wash fruits and salad in clean water
• Do not defecate in open spaces
• Do take oral rehydration solution
• Do not swim in polluted water
• Maintain environmental sanitation