Cholera cases continue to swell in Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi: The number of cases of cholera, a highly contagious and fatal disease is continuously on the rise and there is a threat that spread of the infection may take shape of an epidemic if proper preventive and control measures are not taken well in time.

The first two cases of cholera were tested positive by National Institute of Health Islamabad on July 31 this year and another two confirmed positive for the infection on August 4. All the four patients were undergoing treatment at Benazir Bhutto Hospital where as many as four more suspects of the infection have been admitted for treatment.

Data collected by ‘The News’ on Monday reveals that the allied hospitals have sent stool samples of over 10 child patients to NIH for confirmation of cholera in last week. On Saturday, as many as 20 child patients with severe diarrhoea were admitted at the BBH of which four were suspected as patients of cholera and their stool samples were sent to NIH for confirmation, said Associate Professor of Paediatrics at Rawalpindi Medical University Dr. Tariq Saeed when contacted by ‘The News’ on Monday.

He added the hospital has not received confirmation reports from the NIH because of holidays there from Saturday to Monday. However, we have been keeping the suspects in isolation under strict monitoring, he said.

He added that repeated rainfalls in the region and water inundation inside and outside homes in a number of localities particularly in thickly populated areas of the city are causing contamination of water and foodstuff that increases chances of spread of a number of infections among population while children are at greater risk of contracting life-threatening infections including cholera.

It is important that the transmission of cholera occurs primarily by drinking water or eating food that has been contaminated by the feces (waste product) of an infected person, including one with no apparent symptoms.

It is observed that heavy rainfall causes collection of heavily contaminated water in streets and houses and the waste water flooding out of various nullahs including Nullah Leh in town causes infections including cholera, typhoid, dysentery, gastroenteritis, hepatitis A and E, shigellosis and giardiasis.

Professor Tariq said the consumption of contaminated water and foodstuff causes cholera, an infection in the small intestine caused by bacterium vibrio cholerae. Its main symptoms are watery diarrhea and vomiting that can lead to rapid dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, and death in cases which are not treated in time, he said.

Health experts say that to avoid cholera and other infections, one must use boiled water for drinking and should use vegetables after washing with clean water and it must be kept in mind that raw vegetables should not be eaten in the existing weather conditions instead these should be used after cooking.

To a query, Professor Tariq said the heavy rainfall and water accumulation may contaminate water at sources and there may be chances of contamination of water at tube wells so individuals must boil water before drinking to avoid cholera and other infections. He added the appearance of cholera is alarming and it is time for people to take extra ordinary preventive measures to safeguard their children and themselves from the disease.  

In case water is accumulated inside home due to heavy rainfall and flooded out of sewage lines, it must be wiped out immediately and the space should be washed with clean water as soon as possible to avoid infections. Avoiding inundation of contaminated water inside homes is a must to avoid cholera and other infections, said Professor Tariq.