• Two more cholera cases detected • 14 patients in valley
KATHMANDU, JUNE 29
Fear of cholera outbreak has gripped residents of Kathmandu valley as two more people tested positive for the highly contagious water borne disease.
Two men, aged 29 and 17, living in Kalimati were diagnosed with the bacterial disease yesterday and are undergoing treatment at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital in Teku. So far, 14 people have contracted the disease in the past 13 days.
STIDH Director Chuman Lal Das told THT that more people might be suffering from the disease than reported. "Over 80 per cent of people who contract cholera either show mild or no symptoms. But even thy can spread the disease."
One of the 14 cholera patients is critical and is in intensive care at STIDH, said Das.
Cholera causes loose motions and vomiting, resulting in severe dehydration that can lead to death if not treated on time. Das said symptoms of cholera could be seen within two hours to five days of contracting the disease and a person might die within two hours of showing symptoms. Those showing symptoms of cholera are advised to take oral rehydration solution (jeevanjal) and visit the nearest hospital or health post as soon as possible.
The Ministry of Health and Population has urged everyone to drink only boiled water or drink water with the right amount of chlorine, eat fresh food, and take care of personal hygiene to avoid cholera.
A version of this article appears in the print on June 30, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
