New Delhi: Hospitals in Bengaluru – particularly along the tech corridor in the city’s south-east – are reportedly witnessing an outbreak of cholera. In the last week, 17 people have been suspected of having cholera, according to various reports, and a total of 80 cases of gastroenteritis have been reported.
According to The Hindu, two of the 17 people have tested positive for cholera. Some of the people’s condition is so severe that they have been admitted to ICUs in various hospitals, according to the Bangalore Mirror.
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), which some doctors have alleged did not act fast enough once the reports began coming in, has collected water samples from several areas in the city. The disease spreads through water contamination. The BBMP has also directed officials to clear all roadside food stalls.
BBMP will be clearing footpath vendors & food sellers in all the wards of the city in view of #Cholera & Gastroenteritis cases being reported and to improve the cleanliness of #Bengaluru.#BBMP #health #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/ejAlO9HpZN
— B.H.Anil Kumar,IAS (@BBMPCOMM) March 9, 2020
The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board has stopped water supply to some of the affected areas until the source of the infection is found, according to Deccan Herald. The Board has also been asked to check for any possible sewage leaks and contamination causes, and increase the chlorine content in the water to reduce chances of infection.
With cases of #Cholera and gastrointestinal infections being reported from various parts of #Bengaluru, #BBMP is taking all steps possible including testing of the water samples of affected areas and spreading door to door awareness. (1/2)@BBMPCOMM @CMofKarnataka @DHFWKA pic.twitter.com/zYUHN6Ib1M
— M Goutham Kumar (@BBMP_MAYOR) March 9, 2020
Also read: The World’s Waters Are Rising – but by How Much, and Where?
A lot of the patients, according to the New Indian Express, are showing cholera-like symptoms but are not testing positive for the vibrio cholera bacterium. They are showing similar symptoms – diarrhoea, dehydration, vomiting and exhaustion – and doctors are unable to diagnose the issue.
“Patients are coming with diarrhoea, dehydration, vomiting, exhaustion and once we conduct stools hanging drop test, it tests negative for Vibrio Cholera bacterium. I have received three confirmed cases of Cholera and 60 gastrointestinal disorders with symptoms similar to Cholera,” Dr Sandeep of Apollo Hospitals told the New Indian Express. Other hospitals too have reported this.
Dr B.K. Vijendra, chief health officer at the BBMP, told the newspaper that there are several bacterial infections that mimic cholera – and one of those was likely causing the symptoms.
While authorities try to find the source of the epidemic and hospitals continue to try and treat patients, the BBMP has asked residents of Bengaluru to take certain precautions – avoid eating cut fruits and food sold by roadside vendors, drink only boiled and cooled water, carry your own water bottle and keep your surroundings clean.
The outbreak of cholera/a cholera-like disease comes at a time when across the globe (including in Bengaluru), authorities are trying to limit the spread of COVID-19.