More infections suspected
KATHMANDU, July 14: A diarrheal patient admitted at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital (STIDH) last week was found infected with cholera. The hospital, which had examined a stool sample of the seriously ailing diarrheal patient, said that the deadly disease was confirmed in a patient from Chhetrapati area of Kathmandu.
"A cholera case has confirmed in our hospital," Dr Sher Bahadur Pun of STIDH, said. He informed that 01 Ogawa stereotype was confirmed in the patient.
Silent killers
According to Dr Pun, a lot of people could be infected with cholera as the disease is asymptomatic most of the times and majority of people seek treatment at private health facilities.
"Only those who cannot afford private hospitals and are in serious condition come to our hospital," added Dr Pun. Last year, too, dozens of people were infected with cholera in Kathmandu Valley. Doctors say that contaminated water and foods are responsible for diarrheal disease and cholera infections.
The Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) has urged the members of public to boil the water supplied by the utility properly before consumption.
The KUKL, which is entrusted to supply quality drinking water to household taps, said that no one should fully rely on the quality of drinking water supplied by the utility during monsoon when floodwaters contaminate water sources. Moreover, KUKL has not replaced decaying pipelines that were laid decades ago even in core city areas, which leaves them vulnerable to contamination from sewage.
"We urge all consumers to take precautionary measures before drinking water," Milan Kumar Shakya, spokesperson at the KUKL, said. He concedes that the decaying pipelines render KUKL supplied water vulnerable to contamination.
Meanwhile, a number of patients suffering from diarrheal infection has increased more than two folds at STIDH in the last few days. The STIDH has also started a gastro ward in view of the rising number of diarrheal patients.
