Cholera looms large over Thiruvananthapuram

One more case of cholera has been identified at Puthiyathura, this time the grandmother of the two children who were earlier found to be afflicted with the disease. However, Kochuthresya’s symptoms were mild and she was allowed to go home after treatment at the Pulluvila Primary Health Centre.

The first case was that of nine-month-old Saira, who came to the hospital with severe diarrhoea. ‘’She came with severe dehydration and we sent some samples for analysis. She was admitted last Monday and discharged on Friday. It was only after discharge that we got the test results and identified the problem as cholera,’’ said Dr Lalitha Kailas, head of the Paediatrics Department at SAT Hospital.

The second case was that of Saira’s brother Vintu. The two children have recovered and so has the grandmother.

Assistant Director of Health Services Dr Pradeepkumar said that the case management has been proper and timely.

 However, a ten-year-old neighbour of Saira named Dickson and another two-month-old child have also been admitted to the Pulluvila PHC with diarrhoea. ‘’All cases of diarrhoea will now be treated as cholera,’’ said DMO Dr Peethambaran.

 A review meeting held on Monday afternoon by top-level health officials has decided to open the Pulluvila PHC round-the-clock and man it with doctors. After the meeting, NRHM Director Dr Beena said the PHC is also being stocked with medicines for treating cholera, including doxycycline and ORS solution to prevent dehydration.

“We have also noticed that there is a need for health education as open air defecation is quite common. There are also flies. The people also were seen drinking water after just warming it - without boiling - and if at all they boiled, they mixed it with ordinary water to bring down the temperature,’’ said Dr Beena.

To improve access to clean drinking water, the Kerala Water Authority has started supplying water in tankers to the residents of the area. Besides, all drinking water sources, including wells, are being purified with chlorine tablets.

 Announcements on how to prevent the outbreak are being aired in all the coastal areas of the district on mobile vehicles and the health workers, making the house-to house visits, are educating the public on how to prevent an outbreak.