Let's not underestimate cholera

6 people died from cholera in 2021, 1 thousand 318 people were affected. 5 thousand 550 people died from cholera that spread in Haiti in 2067.

Since July, cholera has been confirmed in 41 people in Lalitpur, 7 in Kathmandu, 2 in Pyuthan and 8 in Kailali after culture reports. On July 4, 65 people were brought to Teku Hospital from the drug-free rehabilitation center at Godavari-14 Thamb in Lalitpur. Cholera has been confirmed in more than 12 of those admitted.

Cholera is a diarrheal disease caused by an intestinal infection with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Infected food and water cause its bacteria to enter the body of a healthy person and rapidly invade the intestines. Symptoms begin 2 hours to 5 days after infection. 80 percent of those infected with cholera develop no symptoms, but Vibrio cholerae bacteria can remain in their stool for up to 10 days. Even among those with

symptoms, 80 percent have mild to moderate symptoms. 20 percent have symptoms like chaulani. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cholera affects 1.3 to 4 million people worldwide every year, and 21,000 to 143,000 people die from the infection. 50 percent of those who do not get timely treatment die.

Cholera symptoms may appear from a few hours to 5 days after infection. Thin watery stools, nausea, vomiting, severe dehydration are the initial symptoms. When it reaches a severe condition, the eyes become blurred, the tongue, mouth and throat become dry, the color of urine becomes yellow and dark, irritability, heart beat is uncontrolled and the blood pressure drops and fainting occurs.

Even within 3 to 6 hours of the onset of symptoms, cholera takes a deadly form, blood pressure drops and the patient becomes seriously unconscious. Excessive lack of water in the body causes the mouth and throat to dry. Urine is scanty and dark yellow. 1 out of every 20 people infected with cholera is severely debilitated. Without proper treatment in time, the body loses water and the kidneys stop working, the patient may die within a few hours.

Only about 10 percent of all cholera cases worldwide are reported. Malnourished, children, HIV-infected, chronically ill, people with organ transplants have a higher risk of death if they get cholera. It is found that 80 percent of patients with cholera symptoms have normal diarrhea. In the remaining 20 percent, it is found that there is a lot of water loss in the body as well as severe diarrhea with a lot of water. How to treat

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Patients without vomiting are treated with life water and those with both vomiting and diarrhea are treated with water, salts and fluids from saline. Water should be added only to the available living water. Never mix drinks like fruit juice, soup, milk etc. About 80 percent are treated with ORS or Jeevan water, salt and sugar water. In severe cases, this solution is given intravenously. Antibiotics prevent it from becoming serious. One in two such patients may die if left untreated. According to the World Health Organization, the death rate of cholera is less than one percent if appropriate and proper treatment is provided.

Although cholera is spread through contaminated food and water in the world, polluted water seems to be the main factor (80 percent) in Nepal. We lack the awareness that we should wash our hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching dirt, cooking and eating. According to statistics, the death rate from diarrhea can be reduced by 32 percent by improving sanitation. Up to 25 percent can be reduced by improving drinking water quality and up to 45 percent through health education such as clean water, sanitation, personal hygiene and hand washing.

The patient's excrement should be taken near a water source or into a cesspool. Food should be protected from flies. Do not eat market ice, ice cream and dairy products. You should only eat fruits that have been peeled by yourself, hot food, vegetables that have been cooked well. If possible, it is best to use boiled water while brushing your teeth. Green salad such as carrot, radish should be consumed only after making it free from infection. At a minimum, hands should be washed with sterile soap or soap before eating and after defecation. Only water that has been boiled for 5 minutes and cooled in a clean container should be consumed. Likewise, drinking water distributed by responsible agencies, institutions, and companies must be treated.

For the prevention of cholera, the Ministry of Health and Population is working in cooperation and coordination with the affected provinces, districts and local levels. Mobilization of local rapid response teams, regular case investigation, more active patient search in affected areas, symptom monitoring of contacts and preparation and dissemination of health education materials. Cholera is being monitored regularly in 144 hospitals. If there are more than 5 people with diarrhea in the same village in a week, they can contact the toll-free hotline 1115.

– Budhathoki is the spokesperson of the Ministry of Health.