Despite the claim from officials at Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) that that disease is under control, there are no signs of the epidemic abating any time soon. [break]While nine patients have already succumbed to the disease, another 800 tested positive for cholera are receiving treatment from various health centers in the district.
Cases of diarrhea and cholera were first reported in the district two months ago.
On Tuesday alone, seven patients were admitted to Sujang Hospital. The doctors said the condition of a woman is critical.
Coliform bacteria were found in all water samples collected from the cholera affected areas. Moreover, vibrio cholera has been found in four out of five stool samples of infected patients. The samples were tested at the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL).
“We have taken water samples from the affected areas. We found all of them contaminated with harmful bacteria,” Kumar Dahal, a member of team said.
EDCD has distributed 10 chlorine tablets and a packet of oral rehydration solution (ORS) and soap to every household in the affected areas. Health workers said the government provided chlorine is only enough for two days. The local FM stations in the district have been airing DHO´s message to raise awareness about the disease. However, only few people in the affected area own radios.
Chief of Doti DHO Dr Mahendra Dhoj Adhikari said most of the locals defecate in the open and this poses a serious threat. Very few households in the affected area have toilets.
“We found the affected areas quite unclean and the people were using contaminated water for drinking purpose,” Adhikari said. “People defecate in the ponds and drink the same water,” Dr Ravi Kaphley, a team leader, said.
Doti DHO said that out of 208 posts of health workers in the district more than 75 are vacant. “Fifty-five posts of health workers are vacant, while 13 others have left the health centers to pursue higher studies,” he said.
Adhikari claimed that the health office has mobilized 40 volunteers for door to door awareness campaign.
The disease has spread in Silgadhi Municipality of Dipayal and Kalena, Baglek, Sanagaun, Khirsain, Kathmandau, Pokhari, Ganjari and Durgamandu VDCs.
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