Massive cholera outbreak in Bengaluru amid water crisis: City records 50% rise in cases

Bengaluru: Amid the water crisis, Bengaluru is facing another crisis as the city is hit by a massive cholera outbreak. One confirmed case has been reported in Malleshwaram area and samples of two other suspected cases in the same area have been sent for testing.

Meanwhile, Srihari D, consultant medical gastroenterologist, Sparsh Hospital, Bengaluru, said the city has recorded a 50% increase in cholera cases in recent times, with an average of at least 20 cases per day. He said poor sanitation and contaminated water sources are the primary reasons for the increase in cholera cases in the city.

Hospitals see 50% increase in cases

In many private hospitals in the city, usually only one or two cases of cholera are reported per month, but during March there was a significant increase of six or seven cases in less than a fortnight.

Health experts attribute this increase in cholera cases to people contracting the infection after eating from small-scale eateries. Affected by acute water shortage, these establishments may have compromised water quality, leading to the spread of waterborne diseases.

BBMP issues health advisory

Even though the BBMP has not yet declared a cholera outbreak, it has issued advisories on what to do and what not to do as the stomach diseases are on the rise.

Bruhat Bengaluru Municipal Corporation Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath told Business Standard that one case of cholera has been confirmed in the Malleshwaram area.

He said that in a PG in Malleshwaram, one case has tested cholera positive and others have been sent for testing. “We are identifying the source and all of the contamination. There is no outbreak. We are taking all precautionary measures and will come up with an advisory soon,” BS quoted him as saying.

What is Cholera?

For genera information, cholera is an acute, diarrheal disease caused by infection of the intestine with the virulent bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said in a statement that 1.3 to 4 million people worldwide contract cholera each year, with 21,000 to 143,000 deaths.

What are the measures to prevent cholera?

First, people need to ensure that drinking water has been adequately treated or boiled before drinking.

Everyone needs to follow hygiene practices like washing hands with soap and water especially before handling food or cooking.

Everyone should avoid eating undercooked food and choose cooked dishes instead.