The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is gearing up to tackle the cholera menace after 25-year-old Motiben Chavhan tested positive for the mild form of the disease.

Motiben, a resident of Ambedkar Nagar in Cuffe Parade, is recuperating at the civic-run Kasturba Hospital in Chinchpokli.

Dr Jairaj Thanekar, executive health officer of the BMC, on Monday confirmed that the patient was suffering from ‘mild cholera’. “She tested positive for El Tor, a strain of the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. She will be sent home tomorrow,” he said.

On Saturday, Motiben was rushed to GT Hospital in Fort where she tested positive for cholera after conducting the hanging drop test (a rapid test). “She has been suffering from loose motion and vomiting for a few days,” said Vinod Shekhar, a corporator.

On Monday, three more people were admitted to St George Hospital for suspected cholera. A two-year-old girl, Priti Chavhan, was tested positive in the hanging drop test but her culture tests showed negative results.

Dr Thanekar said two medical camps have been oragnised in the colony to screen people for water-borne diseases. Also, chlorine tablets and ORS packets have been distributed in the area. Some slumdwellers, however, alleged that they have not been screened or received any Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) sachets. “The BMC doctor told us to drink boiled water. But we haven’t received any packets so far,” said Suman Chauhan, Priti’s elder sister. “The medical camp was set up in Motinagar. No BMC doctors came to our area,” said Ashok Munshi, a resident.

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