Amidst the ongoing water crisis in Bengaluru, the city faces another challenge with a significant cholera outbreak. A confirmed case has been reported in the Malleshwaram area, with samples from two other suspected cases also undergoing testing.
According to Sreehari D, a consultant medical gastroenterologist at Sparsh Hospital in Bengaluru, the city has experienced a 50% surge in cholera cases recently, averaging at least 20 cases per day. Poor sanitation and contaminated water sources are cited as the primary reasons for this alarming increase.
Hospitalizations Surge
Private hospitals in the city, which typically report one or two cholera cases per month, have seen a sharp rise, with six or seven cases reported in less than a fortnight during March. Health experts attribute this spike to individuals contracting the infection after consuming food from small-scale eateries, which may have used compromised water quality due to the acute water scarcity.
BBMP Health Advisory
Although the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has not officially declared a cholera outbreak, it has issued a health advisory as stomach ailments are on the rise. Tushar Giri Nath, Chief Commissioner of BBMP, stated that there is one confirmed case in the Malleshwaram area and precautionary measures are being taken to identify the source of contamination.
Understanding Cholera
Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with the toxigenic bacterium Vibrio cholera. According to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1.3 to 4 million people worldwide suffer from cholera each year, with 21,000 to 143,000 fatalities.
Preventive Measures
Preventive measures include ensuring drinking water is adequately treated or boiled before consumption, practicing good hygiene such as handwashing with soap and water, especially before meals or cooking, and avoiding undercooked food in favor of thoroughly cooked dishes.
