Kathmandu, September 2

The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (ECDD) has established an active surveillance for cholera with detailed line-listing of the confirmed cases in 32 hospitals of the Kathmandu Valley.

Initially the surveillance had begun from Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital (STIDH), Teku since July 26 and further expanded to 32 hospitals from August 27.

According to a weekly bulletin issued by the EDCD, as of August 28, 25 hospitals have been providing reports on cholera cases. The National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL), Teku has reported a total of 66 confirmed cases of cholera from 26 July to 28 August.

Three additional confirmed cases were reported by Patan hospital and one by Dulikhel hospital as of 28 August. As per daily reporting by the STIDH, the number of Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) cases peaked on August 2 (26 cases reported) and the number of cholera cases peaked on August 8 (six cases). The number of AGE and cholera cases seem to be decreasing in the STIDH referral hospital, said the EDCD.

The Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development has issued a circular to the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, District Development Committee of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur, Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City and all other 19 municipalities of the Valley to maintain high alert to control and prevent the spread of cholera.

Since cholera was first detected in Kalimati area on July 26, it has spread to more than a dozen places in the Valley, including Kuleshwor, Soalteemode, Kalanki, Rabi Bhawan, Naikap, Om Bahal, Naradevi, Chhetrapati, Mulpani and Patan. No death has been reported in connection with cholera so far, though. Cholera is caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with bacterium Vibrio cholerae.