Rawalpindi: Bacterium Vibrio Cholerae on the loose: 3,000 gastro cases in 6 weeks

[Naveed Yaseen]

* 2,212 patients report to HFH, 1,005 to RGH from June 1 to July 16

By Terence J Sigamony
RAWALPINDI: Over 3,000 cases of gastroenteritis were reported to the Holy Family Hospital (HFH) and Rawalpindi General Hospital (RGH) – the city’s two major hospitals – in the past six weeks beginning June 1 this year.

However, doctors claim that the situation is not alarming and could be controlled by improving hygiene.

According to the data available with Daily Times 3,217 cases were reported to HFH and RGH from June 1 to July. The exact number of the patients visiting the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ Hospital) could not be known, as the hospital does not maintain the record of gastro patients.

However, a doctor at the emergency department of DHQ said that out of 200 to 230 patients visiting the hospital in 24 hours, five to six patients suffered from gastroenteritis. Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Mohammad Umair said that the number of gastro patients was now decreasing, as they were receiving three to four patients daily.

Around 862 gastro patients reported to the Holy Family Hospital till July 16 out of which 241 were adults and 621 children under 12. In June, a total of 1,350 patients reported to the hospital out of which 671 were adults and 679 children.

Similarly, a total of 713 patients reported to RGH in June out of which 546 were adults and 167 children. In July, the figure was 292 out of which 137 were adults and 155 children.

The RGH, medical superintendent, Fayyaz Ahmed said that the number of cholera and diarrhoea patients had reduced after the first week of July due to low temperature. He said out of 100 patients, eight to 10 suffered from gastro.

The Holy Family Hospital, chief medical officer, Dr Farrah said that out of the total number of patients reporting to the hospital, 30 suffered from gastroenteritis.

“Normally, a patient is discharged after getting oral treatment. However, if a patient passes blood in his stool then he’s admitted. Such patients are admitted for 24 to 48 hours and discharged after full recovery,” Dr Farrah added.

She said the main reason for spread of gastroenteritis was that people did not consume boiled water. She said 80 per cent people in the city lacked access to safe drinking water.

She said the major factor responsible for the spread of infection was poor hygiene at hotels and restaurants and heavy rains, which contaminate the underground water supply lines. Majority of the patients reporting to the hospital are residents of New Katarian, Satellite Town and Banni, Farrah said.

The RGH deputy medical superintendent, Dr Najeeb Pasha, said that the ongoing rainy seasons might cause spread of the disease, particularly in villages. Due to rains, Bacterium Vibrio Cholerae existing in a patients’ stool might easily mix up with drinking water turning the disease into a severe epidemic, he said.

Dr Pasha said that the infection could not be controlled so far because people still had no awareness of how to prevent and control gastroenteritis. He advised that people should wash their hands with soap before eating meals and after coming out of the toilet to keep from infection.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...008_pg11_1