JOIN USWater-borne diseases surge in the City
As many as 293 cases of GE were reported from Isolation Hospital last month, with the male and female ward being nearly full even on Tuesday. “We received 17 cases of GE on Monday. We are receiving at least 15-20 cases per day for the last 10 days,” said a staff.
The hospital had four positive cases of cholera last month, with three being diagnosed in the last week. Doctors at Victoria Hospital said there had been a substantial increase in GE cases over the last three months. The hospital is receiving three to four persons with GE symptoms on any single day. As for cholera, the hospital treated one patient, who was referred from Isolation Hospital a fortnight ago.
“The patient, who was from Goripalya, was misdiagnosed and our doctors diagnosed him for cholera and treated him,” said Medical Superintendent Dr B G Tilak.
Increase by 15 per cent
In Lady Curzon and Bowring Hospital GE and diarrhoea cases have increased by 15 per cent in the last 15 days. “In fact, three doctors in the hospital are themselves affected by diarrhoea,” said an official. According to Resident Medical Officer Dr Bhanu Murthy, 12 cases of GE and an equal number of diarrhoea including paediatric cases were admitted to the hospital.
Children more susceptible
Dr Raviraj of Lakeside Hospital said paediatric cases were more as children were more susceptible to diarrhoea. While the hospital gets at least two to three adults and four to five children suffering from loose stool and dehydration every day, about two or three need hospitalisation. The hospital reported around 10 cases of GE last month with an average of two or three patients per week.
“The main sources of contamination are water and food. People who organise functions or a feast should insist that cooks use filtered or canned water for food. This will reduce chances of infection. And, while it may cost a bit more, it will be better than spending
Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 on hospitalisation,” suggested Dr Raviraj.
All over the State, 1,592 patients have been identified with GE symptoms and eight deaths have been reported.
Health department intends to release Rs one lakh to each district for purchasing emergency medicines and chlorination tablets. “Since it is the season for water-borne diseases, each district will be given Rs one lakh.
The districts can spend Rs 50,000 on buying emergency drugs and materials like IV fluids, disinfectants, etc and the rest for halogen tablets that would be distributed to households to chlorinate water,” said a health official. The proposal will be confirmed in a day or two, he added.