Two children among five cholera cases reported in Manimajra

“For the last 10 days, we have been seeing around 20 diarrhoea cases a day and the number rose to 50 on Saturday. Several times, we informed the officials from the Municipal Corporation and from the Public Health Department, but no one paid any heed,” said a health worker.

She added, “It was on Saturday that the officers from all departments sprang to action.”

On Friday, the first case of acute diarrhoea was reported; his culture test reports revealed cholera. Then on Saturday, four new persons, including a nine-month-old child, presented with acute diarrhoeal infection. On Sunday, they were tested positive of cholera. All these cases are reported from three families of Indira Colony, Manimajra.

On Sunday, another suspected case was reported from Mauli Jagran. His reports will come on Monday. At present, four persons are admitted to the Civil Hospital, Manimajra, and two were rushed to GMSH-16.

“So far, 11 severe diarrhoea cases have been reported. It includes five positive cases of cholera from Manimajra and one suspected case from Mauli Jagran,” said Dr V K Gagneja, Director Health Services.

He said, “To check bacterial contamination in water, eight-nine water samples were taken by the health team and sent for H2S (hydrogen sulfide) test. Five samples failed the test. The drinking water of people is contaminated with bacteria, which can be cholera.”

On Sunday, 48 water samples from Manimajra, especially Indira Colony, and 10 water samples from Mauli Jagran were taken by the team and sent for examination to a laboratory in Manimajra.

“The main cause of cholera is contaminated drinking water,” said the DHS.

Gagneja said that to prevent an outbreak, the health department was taking all measures to control the situation. “We are sending health teams to each and every house in the area. They are asking for diarrhoea cases and are also educating people to take precautionary measures like drinking boiled water and following hygiene,” he added.