Cholera Outbreak

• 17 Jun 2024

Why in News?

Recently, Panic spread through Phoop town in Bhind district due to a sudden cholera outbreak, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and the illness of around 70 others who drank contaminated water.

Key Points

• The residents of the area fell prey to cholera infection after drinking contaminated water supplied through the pipeline.
• According to the sources, the sewage water entered the drinking water supply pipeline due to ongoing civil work in the area. The water turned highly contaminated with bad odour.
• The District Magistrate stated that the situation was under control and the condition of the patients was stable. 
  • The pipeline leakages have been fixed, and clean/fresh water is now being supplied to the three wards. 
  • A team of doctors has also been deployed to monitor the situation, including water testing.

Cholera

• About:
  • Cholera, a water-borne disease primarily caused by the bacteria Vibrio cholerae strains O1 and O139, poses a significant public health challenge worldwide.
    • Strain O1 is the predominant cause of outbreaks, with O139 occurrences being rare and mostly confined to Asia.
  • It is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine.
  • The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but sometimes can be severe.
• Symptoms:
  • Profuse watery diarrhoea, Vomiting, Leg cramps
• Transmission:
  • A person may get cholera by drinking water or eating food contaminated with the cholera bacterium.
  • The disease can spread rapidly in areas with inadequate treatment of sewage and drinking water.
• Vaccine:
  • Currently there are three WHO pre-qualified Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCV), Dukoral, Shanchol, and Euvichol-Plus. All three vaccines require two doses for full protection.