BENGALURU: Amid the summer heat beating down, a woman resident of Vyalikaval in Malleswaram is suspected to have contracted cholera. As she had complaints of severe vomiting and diarrhoea, her blood samples have now been sent for medical tests while she is undergoing treatment at a private hospital.
According to hospital sources, the woman initially showed symptoms of cholera, but her stool sample returned negative. Hence, her blood samples have been sent for further tests. Health officials are also collecting information about her travel history and are making efforts to get in touch with those she may have come in contact with.
Health officials have also visited 165 houses around the suspected patient’s residence and conducted a survery. They also raised awareness about the spread of the disease, use of boiled and cooled water and maintaining hand hygiene. However, none of the residents of these houses showed any symptoms of cholera.
Meanwhile, the BBMP health officials have collected 10 water samples from suspected locations and sent them for tests. All health officials and medical officers have been put on alert and hotels, restaurants and cafes have been directed to provide boiled water to their customers. All government and private hospitals have also been asked to mandatorily upload details of patients on the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal.
“Preliminary tests indicated a cholera positive case in Malleswaram, but subsequent tests came negative. However, our teams are carrying out surveillance, but so far no such cases have come to light”, said BBMP special health commissioner Vikas Kishor Suralkar.
Further, he said people should be mindful to keep themselves hydrated and wear summer-appropriate clothing. “Hotels, restaurants and eateries have also been advised to provide boiled water to customers and to prevent contamination of food items”, he added.
The BBMP has also issued certain guidelines including chlorination of places where water is supplied through tankers, curbs on selling cut fruits in the open and keeping food items uncovered, conducting tests on water and food items sold in eateries, providing boiled water in hotels and restaurants.
Since the possibility of the spread of contagious diseases is high during temple fairs and festivals, dargahs and other religious activities, officials responsible have to take preventive measures. Leakages in drinking water pipelines have to be plugged, health and anganwadi workers should distribute ORS and other essentials to houses among others.