Ronan Kelly
Retired 2020
Cholera woes after dengue and eye flu
Neetu Chandra
New Delhi, September 2, 2010
Updated 09:14 IST
Cholera has joined the list of diseases the city is battling this season. More than 500 cases of Cholera have been reported so far, with North Delhi being the worst affected, according to Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) authorities.
More than 200 cases were reported in August alone, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) authorities said.
"Cases have been reported from Civil Lines, Burari, Sant Nagar, Uttaranchal Enclave, Lal Bagh, Majnu ka Tila and Mukandpur. Rohini witnessed the maximum number of cases in August. The cases reported are from the MCD's Infectious Diseases Hospital. The actual number may be higher," Dr K. K. Chaudhary, MCD's deputy municipal health officer (epidemiology), said.
"Areas in North Delhi and Outer Ring Road have been the worst hit," he added. Health authorities blamed the spread of the water- borne disease on heavy and prolonged spells of rains in August.
A total of 701.6mm rainfall has been received so far during this monsoon, 43 per cent above average. August alone recorded 444mm rainfall - the highest in 10 years. "Moreover, the affected areas that are home to unauthorised resettlement colonies have poor drinking water facilities.
People are dependent on groundwater and water supplied by tankers. This has made them prone to cholera," Dr Chaudhary said.
According to health experts, rainwater might have mixed with water stored underground and in tanks, contaminating it with the cholera- carrying bacteria.
The experts issued a warning for East Delhi. "East Delhi's water management is very poor. So, we are expecting an outbreak of cholera there also. But we are prepared. Our officials are on alert," Dr V. K. Monga, chairman of MCD's health committee, said.
"We have stocked all the hospitals with chlorine tablets and liquid. The later is very effective as it makes water potable in just 15 minutes," Dr Chaudhary said.
The new health worry comes on the back of the spread of dengue cases in the Capital - over 900 cases have been reported so far this year.
Apart from dengue, the Capital is also battling with swine flu and eye flu. Delhi is witnessing a sharp surge in eye flu cases and doctors have warned this is likely to assume epidemic proportions.
Hospitals, dispensaries and private clinics in the Capital over the past week have seen a rise in the number of people with eye flu or conjunctivitis.
Unfinished construction, experts said, also has a role in the breeding the microorganisms that cause these infections.
City hospitals have also claimed a marked increase in cases of viral fever, gastroenteritis, jaundice and typhoid, which like cholera are water- borne diseases and have spread on the back of heavy rains.
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/111154/India/cholera-woes-after-dengue-and-eye-flu.html
Neetu Chandra
New Delhi, September 2, 2010
Updated 09:14 IST
Cholera has joined the list of diseases the city is battling this season. More than 500 cases of Cholera have been reported so far, with North Delhi being the worst affected, according to Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) authorities.
More than 200 cases were reported in August alone, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) authorities said.
"Cases have been reported from Civil Lines, Burari, Sant Nagar, Uttaranchal Enclave, Lal Bagh, Majnu ka Tila and Mukandpur. Rohini witnessed the maximum number of cases in August. The cases reported are from the MCD's Infectious Diseases Hospital. The actual number may be higher," Dr K. K. Chaudhary, MCD's deputy municipal health officer (epidemiology), said.
"Areas in North Delhi and Outer Ring Road have been the worst hit," he added. Health authorities blamed the spread of the water- borne disease on heavy and prolonged spells of rains in August.
A total of 701.6mm rainfall has been received so far during this monsoon, 43 per cent above average. August alone recorded 444mm rainfall - the highest in 10 years. "Moreover, the affected areas that are home to unauthorised resettlement colonies have poor drinking water facilities.
People are dependent on groundwater and water supplied by tankers. This has made them prone to cholera," Dr Chaudhary said.
According to health experts, rainwater might have mixed with water stored underground and in tanks, contaminating it with the cholera- carrying bacteria.
The experts issued a warning for East Delhi. "East Delhi's water management is very poor. So, we are expecting an outbreak of cholera there also. But we are prepared. Our officials are on alert," Dr V. K. Monga, chairman of MCD's health committee, said.
"We have stocked all the hospitals with chlorine tablets and liquid. The later is very effective as it makes water potable in just 15 minutes," Dr Chaudhary said.
The new health worry comes on the back of the spread of dengue cases in the Capital - over 900 cases have been reported so far this year.
Apart from dengue, the Capital is also battling with swine flu and eye flu. Delhi is witnessing a sharp surge in eye flu cases and doctors have warned this is likely to assume epidemic proportions.
Hospitals, dispensaries and private clinics in the Capital over the past week have seen a rise in the number of people with eye flu or conjunctivitis.
Unfinished construction, experts said, also has a role in the breeding the microorganisms that cause these infections.
City hospitals have also claimed a marked increase in cases of viral fever, gastroenteritis, jaundice and typhoid, which like cholera are water- borne diseases and have spread on the back of heavy rains.
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/111154/India/cholera-woes-after-dengue-and-eye-flu.html