Mild form of cholera has BMC springing into action

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.

“The BMC water was slightly red and dirty a week ago. When the BMC imposed water cuts,we were forced to use water supplied by private tankers,” said Munshi.

Meanwhile,civic health officials claimed that they have screened more than 7,000 people for water-borne diseases. At least 70 cases of diarrhoea,vomiting and fever have been reported so far. According to civic officials,contaminated water supplied by private tankers led to the outbreak.

Culture tests of seven people other than Motiben have also been conducted. According to Dr Thanekar,only one woman tested positive for mild cholera.

“We have admitted 17 patients suffering from diarrhoea,vomiting and loose motion. Two patients were admitted for suspected cholera. Of these two patients,one was sent home while the other was referred to Kasturba Hospital,” said Chandrakant Gaikwad,medical superintendent,St George Hospital.

Tanker water responsible for disease,claims civic body
The suspected cholera cases in the slum areas of Colaba has resulted from water supplied by private tankers and not leakages from old pipelines,the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has claimed. The civic administration has detected 150 cases across the city where strains of Escherichia coli (E-coli) were found,which can lead to outbreaks of cholera.

To cope up with the 30 per cent water cut,slum dwellers and many residents are resorting to buying water from private tankers,which civic officials have said is not safe for drinking. Slum dwellers from Ambedkar Nagar have been buying water from private tankers over the last few days,which has led to over 50 residents complaining of vomiting and stomachache.

Health officer of A ward said four health camps have been set up and ORS and chlorine tablets to purify water have been given to residents. Hydraullic Engineer,S S Korlekar,said,“We have not identified any leakages in Ambedkar Nagar. The water contamination is due to supply from private tankers.”

Civic officials said leakages are immediately repaired as and when detected. Vinod Shekhar,Colaba corporator said,“The problem of water-borne diseases has been occurring on and off in this locality. The slum dwellers resort to drinking tanker water which is not safe. Leakages in the old pipes also contribute to the problem. The BMC needs to replace the old pipes.”

From July 8 to 15 alone,the department received 36 complaints of water contamination,five from the eastern suburbs and 38 from the western suburbs. Officials said samples of E-coli were sent to Bhandup laboratory for testing and in case of positive results,immediate action will be taken.