Government urges people to take prevention against cholera

Kathmandu, June 28: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged the public to take precautions against the increased risk of cholera infection in the Kathmandu Valley. Cholera, a bacterial disease, is generally spread through the consumption of contaminated food and water and may be fatal if left untreated.    

The Ministry urged this following the detection of 12 cases of cholera in the Kathmandu Valley. People have been advised to purify and boil water before drinking. Ministry joint-spokesperson Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari said the government is alert to the increased risk of cholera with the confirmations of 12 cases in the Valley and the people have been urged to take preventions: intake of purified or boiled water, hygienic food and complying with sanitary practices against the infection risk.

They have been additionally urged to use toilets, wash hands with soap and safe water properly after using toilets, clean hands before preparing, feeding and eating food, and keep the sources of water neat and clean. Stomach pain, vomiting, severe diarrhoea, excessive thirst and dehydration are among the symptoms of cholera. Though it can be treated easily at home, a hospital visit is recommended in case of severity.    

Fatality can be prevented by frequent intake of purified water mixed with Jeevan Jal, and of liquid and soft food. Likewise, the intake of Zinc tablets on the medical prescription has been recommended for its treatment.

Kathmandu District Public Health Office chief Basanta Adhikari said the sample test of drinking water supplies in Bagbazar and Dillibazar areas is found to be contaminated. The sample test confirms the presence of E. coli bacteria which is normally found in human faeces.

Likewise, monitoring of drinking water supplies in the Kathmandu Valley is to be carried out. In addition to this, a joint team from the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, the District Administration and the security bodies is to measure the quality of jar, bottled water and tanker water supplies in the Valley.

Similarly, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Office is to write to schools and ward offices within the locality asking for launching public awareness programmes against cholera. More, the Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited has decided to increase the level of chlorine in the water to be distributed in the Valley and collect samples of water from the risky areas and conduct lab tests. (RSS)