Kathmandu, October 3

After more than 80 cholera cases were reported in the Kathmandu Valley from August to September, health officials say the epidemic is now under control.

No case of the disease has been reported for the past two weeks.

With the withdrawal of monsoon, cholera outbreak unlikely in the coming days this year.

A total of 972 Acute Gastroenteritis cases have been reported so far. Of them, 707 cases were recorded at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Teku and 265 at other hospitals in the Valley. Some of the early symptoms of the disease are sudden vomiting, diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps.

According to Early Warning and Reporting System of the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, 80 confirmed cases of cholera have been reported so far — 76 by the National Public Health Library, three by Patan Hospital and one by Dhulikhel Hospital. No death from the disease has been reported till date.

NPHL, Teku reported the first confirmed case on August 2. The last confirmed case of cholera was reported on September 10.

The cases of AGE and cholera cases seem to be decreasing at the STIDH referral hospital, said health officials.

EDCD had stepped up surveillance for AGE/suspected cholera in the Valley. Initially the surveillance started at STIDH from July 26 was expanded to 35 hospitals across the Valley. Nearly 20 per cent patients admitted to the hospital tested positive for cholera this year compared to around 5 per cent last year.

Since cholera was first detected in Kalimati area in the first week of August, it had spread to more than a dozen places in the Valley, including Kuleshwor, Soalteemode, Kalanki, Rabi Bhawan, Naikap, Om Bahal, Naradevi, Chhetrapati, Mulpani and Patan.

Some cases were reported in areas that were previously unaffected by the disease. Cholera is caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

This can lead to death if untreated within 24 hours. Use of unsafe water, poor sanitation and personal hygiene are the main reasons that cause the disease to spread during the rainy season.