12 cholera cases in capital spark concern

KATHMANDU, June 30: At least a dozen patients admitted in different hospitals of the capital have tested positive for cholera. Since all the patients are residents of Kathmandu, the doctors say the disease might have already spread making drinking water in several parts of the capital unsafe.

The Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Control Hospital, Teku detected 11 cases of cholera in the past two weeks.

According to the hospital´s research unit, cholera was confirmed in patients admitted in the hospital for the treatment of diarrhea. The patients are from Kritipur, Sitapaila, Kalanki, Kalopul and other locations of the capital. [break]

Dr Rajesh Shah, a member of the research unit said the "0.1 Ogawa" strain of cholera was detected in all the patients. "We found the 0.1 Ogawa strain during the examination of their stool samples," Shah said. Shah warned of more cases in the coming days as everyday more than 15 new patients afflicted with diarrhea come to the hospital for treatment.

Similarly, a cholera case has been identified at Kanti Children Hospital. "Cholera virus has been detected in a child admitted in the hospital," Dr Tirtha Raj Burlakoti, director of the hospital, said. He added that 77 patients with diarrheal disease have been treated in the hospital within two weeks.

Likewise, Patan Hospital also said that cholera has been detected in some of the diarrheal patients.

Not epidemic yet

Though the fact that patients are from different locations clearly shows that cholera has spread in the capital, the Epidemiology and Disease Control division (EDCD) said the very fact points out it hasn´t reached an epidemic proportions.

"The patients are from different locations, so it is not an epidemic," Dr Chudamuni Bhandari, Director of EDC D said, adding, "But people must be made aware of the possible infection."

11 cholera cases has been detected at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Control Hospital, Teku, 1 at Kanti Children Hospital and some cases at Patan Hospital as well.

The patients are from different locations, so it is not an epidemic but people must be made aware of the possible infection.

Poor sanitation, contaminated water responsible for the spread of cholera.

For a disease to be termed as an epidemic, it has to be detected in a large number of people residing in the same locality. Dr Bhandari added that the EDCD has taken the possibility of an outbreak seriously.

"We have already held consultations with different stakeholders including representatives of the Kathmandu Upatakya Khanepani Limited," he said. In order to control the spread of cholera, the EDCD plans to launch an awareness program in coordination with Kathmandu District Public Health Office.

Doctors blamed the spread of cholera on the city´s terrible sanitation infrastructure. "Poor sanitation is responsible for the spread of cholera," Infectious and Tropical Disease specialist Dr Bashudev Pandey said. He added that the contaminated water may cause epidemic if necessary steps are not taken. He advised city dwellers to boil water before drinking. He also advised people to wash hands before eating and to refrain from drinking water straight from taps.

The presence of cholera is not new in Nepal but doctors say detection of cholera in the city dwellers this early and in such a large number is serious. Cholera claimed hundreds of lives in the Far-Western region in 2008.