Health experts fear cholera outbreak

[LRE]

Health experts fear cholera outbreak



Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Muhammad Qasim

Rawalpindi

After confirmation of a few suspected cases of cholera positive by the National Institute of Health, Islamabad, the health experts in town feared outbreak of cholera epidemic if preventive measures are not taken in time.

Rawalpindi General Hospital received the first suspected case of cholera, this season, on June 5 while up till now, the RGH has registered as many as 35 suspected cases of the infectious disease.

“To date, we have sent stool samples of a total of 35 suspected cases of cholera to NIH for confirmatory reports of which four have been tested positive while four negative,” said acting medical superintendent at the RGH Dr Fiaz Ahmed Khan while talking to ‘The News’ Monday.

He added the RGH has yet to receive confirmatory reports in 27 cases. Of the 35 cases of cholera registered at the RGH, 16 are males while 19 females.He said that all the suspected patients of cholera received by the RGH so far are below 12 years of age. Health experts believe that there might be possibility of elderly patients of cholera particularly outside the town but they are not coming to hospitals because of being unaware of the complications of the disease.

Cholera is an acute infectious disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae that lives and multiplies its colonies in the small intestine but does not destroy or invade the intestinal tissue (non-invasive). Massive watery diarrhoea is the major symptom of the infectious disease that results in dehydration. The diarrhoea occurs because of a toxin secreted by the bacteria that stimulates the cells of the small intestine to secrete fluid. There are several strains of Vibrio cholerae and the severity of the disease is based on the particular infectious strain.

It is not difficult to treat cholera and complete cure can be achieved through appropriate oral fluid replacement (hydration) but if left untreated, the disease rapidly leads to shock due to severe loss of fluid and ultimately create life-threatening complications. According to health experts, to avoid loss of lives, proper arrangements for ideal treatment of disease in healthcare facilities at all levels are required. After exposure to infection, the body suffers deficiency of certain salts too particularly potassium.

To a query, Dr Fiaz said the number of suspected cases of cholera reaching RGH is increasing consistently. He added that the RGH, within past two-and-a-half weeks, has also received 137 cases of gastroenteritis of which 64 are males while 73 females.

On prevention and control of the disease, Dr Fiaz said that people should be advised to develop habit of using clean drinking water and clean food. “Also there should be proper system of disposal of faecal waste,” he added.

Director Emergency at the RGH Dr Muhammad Mujeeb Khan has expressed to ‘The News’ that a number of patients apparently with symptoms of gastroenteritis might be cholera cases and people should be made aware of the fact.

He said the present rainy conditions might cause rapid spread of the disease particularly in village areas. Due to rainwater, the bacterium Vibrio cholerae existing in a patients’ stool might easily be mixed up with drinking water turning the disease into a severe epidemic. “To prevent spread of the disease, public should be made aware of better dietary habits,” he said.

Experts opine that the gastroenteritis and cholera patients severely hit by dehydration develop much chances of falling prey to kidney failure. The diseases might cause death in children particularly if they are not treated in time.

Gastroenterologists and hepatologists say that certain diseases are seasonal having direct relation to weather as increase in heat and moisture levels allow growing more bacteria particularly the bacteria causing Gastroenteritis and Cholera. The roots for transmission of cholera and gastroenteritis are same and both the diseases can be prevented and controlled by taking certain measures.

They say that heavy rain leads to contamination of drinking water and the poor hygienic conditions at food places particularly at vendors and restaurants cause contamination of the drinking water and food. Flies further spread infection and to avoid infection, uncovered food, cut fruits and unsealed drinks should be avoided.

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