Kashmir: Diarrhea patients in Budgam - 10,000 cholera cases

[Ronan Kelly]

Diarrhea patients in Budgam show Cholera symptoms
M HYDERI

Srinagar, Aug 23: The diarrhea, which claimed two lives and left over 700 ill in central Kashmir?s Budgam district could be cholera as the patients have same symptoms and the authorities have started treatment on those lines.
Sources told Greater Kashmir that the preliminary investigations suggested that the disease was Cholera and the health department was trying to hush up the issue to avoid international concern.
In the past few days, over 700 people in Budgam villages including Reyar, Waterhaal, Kralnar, Harpanzu and Shoolipora were hit by the disease while over 150 people are still undergoing treatment at health care centres.

Cholera Fear
Fearing outbreak of Cholera, the Health ministry is understood to have asked the administration not to let the patients leave the area for treatment outside. Besides, the administration is keeping a check that none of the teams from outside district visit the affected areas for any assessment.

The Symptoms
The patients have been suffering of typical cholera symptoms like acute watery diarrhea and vomiting, which can kill a person within hours.

The Scene
At Waterhaal some 12 kilometers from Budgam town, a group of doctors are running hospital services from a makeshift accommodation. Due to shortage of infrastructure, the medicos sleep in wards. ?A group of local volunteers is helping us,? said a medico.

The Neglect
Even though the Public Health Engineering department is under scanner for the outbreak of disease, the Department officials, sources said visited the affected areas only once. ?The PHE officials along with DC got the water reservoir cleaned to some extent after our pleas. But since then they didn?t bother to come again or even provide chlorine tablets,? said a medico. ?The local MLA didn?t bother to visit the area,? the locals complained.

Refusing Help
To avoid ?information leak?, the Health department is avoiding external assistance even from the Government Medical College. ?An external Epidemiological investigation team should have been dispatched to ascertain the cause of waterborne disease, but till now, no such measure has been taken which clearly indicates that it?s a case of hush up,? said a medico requesting not to be named. The Directorate of Health however said there was no need of external resources as the department was using its staff for the job.

WHO Says
Health experts said any case of Cholera has to be instantly reported to the World Health Organization for it happens to be an ?international binding on report of such ailments.?

Govt Speaks
Talking to Greater Kashmir Director Health, Dr NA Wani said only ?a few? cases could be that of Cholera.
?Yes I can?t rule out Cholera, but they could be only few cases say just one percent while 99 percent cases are of routine diarrhea,? he said.
He said an antibiotic Doxycline was been given to the patients as the drug was potent to fight Cholera as well.
The official, however clarified that the test reports were still awaited which would reveal whether it is Cholera or not. But he added that it was certain that the disease was waterborne.
?Consumption of boiled water is the only remedy,? he said.

Minster visits
The Minister for Sheep and Animal Husbandry, Aga Sayeed Ruhullah today visited the gastroenteritis affected areas of Budgam.
He inspected the Sholipora water tanki and PHC where he interacted with patients.
He asked the CMO to issue orders for round the clock duty of doctors in the centre so that the patients may not suffer. He also asked the officers to provide free of cost medicines to the patients.
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/...tients-in-budgam-show-cholera-symptoms-18.asp

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Kashmir: Diarrhea patients in Budgam show Cholera symptoms

Re: Kashmir: Diarrhea patients in Budgam show Cholera symptoms

Gastroenteritis outbreak spreads panic in Budgam

2010-08-23 19:30:00


Two people have died of gastroenteritis in Budgam district, and as a result, panic buttons have been pressed in the area due to poor medical assistance.

Around 973 people, including women and children, have been admitted in various hospitals in Reyar, Waterhal, Kralnaar, Hardpanzu and Sholipura after they showed symptoms of gastroenteritis.

Experts are trying to ascertain if the patients are suffering from cholera.

"In some villages the outbreak was of moderate to serious nature. In districts like Waterhal, Kralnaar, Tehsil Khansahab and Tehsil Bhiru, it has took a very dangerous shape. Total cases that have been reported till today morning in different primary health centers, dispensaries and hospitals is around 900," said Mohammad Rafi, Deputy Commissioner, Budgam.

Locals are claiming that nearly 25 villages have been affected due to the water-borne disease, as heavy rains contaminated rivers and streams, which are the main source of their drinking water.

"Almost 20 to 25 villages are affected by cholera. I think it is water-borne disease. Due to heavy rain there has been water stagnation at many places, due to which drinking water got contaminated," said Bashir Ahmad, a local.

The disease has not only created panic amongst the villagers but has also set alarm bells ringing in the state Health Department.

Teams of doctors and specialists have been rushed to the affected areas to control the outbreak.

All patients affected by gastroenteritis initially showed symptoms like diarrhoea and vomiting, after which the high fever usually causes death if it is not controlled.

The health authorities have urged the villagers, particularly in the affected areas to drink boiled water to prevent the further spread of the disease. By Parvez Butt (ANI)


http://sify.com/news/gastroenteritis-outbreak-spreads-panic-in-budgam-news-national-kixt4dbdagd.html

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Kashmir: Diarrhea patients in Budgam show Cholera symptoms

Re: Kashmir: Diarrhea patients in Budgam show Cholera symptoms

Cholera outbreak in Budgam
26 Cases Confirmed; Govt Downplays Pandemic
MUDDASIR ALI

Srinagar, Aug 27: Sending alarm bells ringing in Kashmir, the deadly cholera disease has broken out in central Kashmir?s district Budgam. While doctors at the SKIMS Medical College here confirmed having received 26 cases of cholera, which can kill within hours if left untreated, hundreds of people from different Budgam villages have been complaining of dehydration, abdominal pain, and vomiting?symptoms of the disease believed to have spread due to use of contaminated drinking water. However, so far no death has been reported.
Shockingly, the government is trying to downplay the grave health concern saying the disease was only ?gastroenteritis? with few cholera cases.
Well placed sources in the SKIMS Medical College told Greater Kashmir that the institute had received more than 250 cases with patients complaining of diarrhoea, severe dehydration and abdominal pain. Hundreds of similar cases have been reported in the district hospital Budgam and in its peripheral medical institutes for past two weeks.
?Of the cases received by the SKIMS College 25 were confirmed to be cholera after proper investigation. Some of the patients were admitted in the institute for few days while others were discharged after prescribing treatment. Presently 50 patients including two cholera patients are getting treatment in the institute,? sources said.
Sources maintained the hospital administration had strict direction from the state health department not to disclose anything about the illness to avoid international attention.
?If such (25) is the number of cases it clearly shows that it is an impending epidemic. The government should immediately report the issue to the World Health Organization, which is an international obligation,? said a doctor, wishing not to be named.
Sources said villages from where the cases had been reported included Khag, Soibugh, Arizal Wadwan Reyar, Waterhaal, Kralnaar, Hardpanzu, and Sholipora and even Pattan. Meanwhile, Chief Secretary, SS Kapoor, who took a review meeting of the situation today, said the matter required an emergency response.
?I was told that things were not moving in a manner they should be and that is why I took the meeting to bring urgency into the response. The authorities concerned from health, PHE and district administration have assured me of taking every possible measure to check the disease,? Kapoor said.
However he claimed that only few cases of cholera had been reported.
District Commissioner, Muhammad Rafi said the administration had been put in the emergency mode.
?Since August 16 more than 2,000 cases complaining of vomiting, diarrhoea have been reported from different villages of district. One case of cholera was reported from a village, Naslapor today,? he said.
On government response to provide clean drinking water to the affected areas, Rafi said, ?the inadequate supply of clean drinking water to many villages was a major concern.?
He said out of 71 filtration plants only 22 were functional in the entire district, implying that less than 30 percent population was receiving filtered water. ?Another concern for the district administration is that in some villages, the streams and Nallah are the main source of drinking water.?
But he said the administration had been quick to respond. ?We have set up camp hospitals in the affected areas besides mobile medical teams have been constituted to provide treatment to people in their respective villages.?
However expressing concern, doctors said the priority for the government should be to make people aware about the disease and ensure treatment and clean drinking water supply not only to the affected areas but the places far off from them.
?If the stool of an infected person passes into the water source used for drinking purpose by people in same or other areas, people especially children become vulnerable to the disease,? the doctor said.
Interestingly in many villages of Budgam the main source of drinking water is usually a stream or Nallah.
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2010/Aug/28/cholera-outbreak-in-budgam-24.asp

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Kashmir: Diarrhea patients in Budgam - 26 cholera cases confirmed

Re: Kashmir: Diarrhea patients in Budgam - 26 cholera cases confirmed

Gastroenteritis outbreak in Doda, Banihal
1600 Affected
SALEEM CHOUDHARY

Jammu, Aug 28: While the number of gastroenteritis patients in Doda has swallowed to over 1100, the epidemic has also reached to Banihal area of Ramban district where more than 500 patients have been affected so far.
As a huge number of patients continue to pour in at district hospital Doda and sub-district hospital Banihal, the civil and Army teams of doctors are having a tough time to handle the rush.
At least one woman has reportedly died of the disease in Doda so far.
With the continuous rush of the patients, the district hospital authorities have been forced to throw open the under-construction 200 bedded OPD block, sources said.
The sources said that while teams of doctors have been sent to various parts of the district to advise people about preventive measures, senior officials from Health department are monitoring the exercise.
Around 400 people have been affected in Banihal area of Ramban district, an official of Health department said on Saturday. He said that around 300 of them were provided immediate medicare at Banihal hospital, while 200 others cases were reported from various PHCs in the adjoining areas.
Director Health, Jammu, Dr Jasbir Singh said the blood samples of the affected patients have been collected and it is clear that the basic source of the disease was consumption of contaminated water.
Sources said the preliminary investigations have revealed the presence of fecal matter in water has led to the outbreak of the epidemic in the area. Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal said that the situation was under control.

(Inputs from Sheikh Nasir and Muhammad Taskeen)


Lastupdate on : Sat, 28 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 28 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 29 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2010/Aug/29/gastroenteritis-outbreak-in-doda-banihal-24.asp

Cholera spreading,44 new cases detected
PHE Deptt Held Responsible
MUDDASIR ALI

Srinagar, Aug 28: The cholera outbreak is taking the shape of an epidemic in Kashmir with 44 new cases being reported today taking the total to 70. Apart from the deadly disease which has spread due to contaminated drinking water mainly in Budgam district, several cases of acute gastroenteritis leading to renal failure, jaundice and infection are pouring in from different parts of the Valley.
While the government has been allegedly slow in its response to tackle the serious health concern, the doctors fear the number of cholera cases?an acute bacterial infection?could rise in coming days.
The Public Health Engineering department has admitted the breakdown of drinking water system in Budgam, which has been the epicentre of the disease, many water resources in the district have been tested unsafe for drinking, said health authorities.
Well placed sources told Greater Kashmir that while 33 new cases were tested positive for cholera by the authorities at SMHS here, five of the 30 cases received today from Budgam were confirmed to be cholera patients by the doctors at SKIMS Medical College.
?The disease is fast turning into an epidemic and if drastic measures are not taken by the government, it will engulf the whole Valley,? sources said.
?Every day the SMHS hospital is receiving 10 to 20 cases with cholera like symptoms. We fail to understand why government is shying away from admitting that the cholera epidemic has spread in most parts of Budgam,? said a doctor at SHMS hospital. The institute is likely to set up a separate ward for cholera patients on Sunday.
?It is sad that Directorate of Health has been lazy in response to tackle the disease. In fact the teams sent by the Health department to different parts of Budgam have been treating patients for gastroenteritis and other intestinal infections when the disease is absolute cholera,? sources said.
?Where is the government? It is nowhere,? a senior doctor responded when asked about the slow response from the state Health ministry to control the epidemic. ?We are also surprised that the authorities in the Health department are not taking up the matter with the government at higher level and telling them categorically that cholera is fast becoming epidemic in Kashmir. It is the responsibility of the government to bring this serious issue under the notice of World Health Organization,? he said.
A few more cases of cholera were also received from Pantha Chowk on the city outskirts. ?It seems the disease is spreading fast,? said a senior doctor at Government Medical College here.
Doctors at the SKIMS Medical College said the acute bacterial disease has been caused due to Vibrio Cholera 0-1 stereotype organism called Ogawa. Till today the institute had received 280 cases of which 30 have been tested positive during past one week.
In what could be an indication that the disease was on spread to other districts, five cases of gastroenteritis from Boatman Colony, Bemina, were received by the SKIMS College today. ?We have sent their samples for cholera test,? doctors said.
The GB Panth hospital for children here received eight cases complaining of dehydration, abdominal pain, and vomiting?symptoms of cholera--for past one week.
?Two of them between eight to nine years of age were found to be cholera cases. They were given treatment and discharged. We are waiting for results in two more cases while as the remaining cases were found to be of gastroenteritis which is common in children in this season,? sources said.
Doctors at Budgam district hospital said more than 80 cases complaining of abdominal pain, dehydration and vomiting were reported today taking the total number of cases to 2188 since the outbreak of disease on august 16.
?A total of eight cases have been confirmed by the district hospital for past one week. Since there is no facility in the hospital to test the cases, the institute usually sends the cases to tertiary care hospital in Srinagar,? said a senior doctor at the hospital.
The SKIMS has received 36 cases of gastroenteritis and other infection related cases for past few days. Sources said out of 36 cases, 11 patients had developed renal failure due to acute gastroenteritis. ?They were treated and are now stable. We have sent samples of the patients for cholera tests are expecting the reports by tomorrow. But some patients had developed cholera like symptoms. Everything will be clear by Sunday,? sources said.
In Warpora, Handwara, more than 60 people complaining with pain in abdomen, vomiting and dehydration were admitted to the district hospital. ?They are under treatment. Everything will be clear within couple of days,? sources said.

GOVT SPEAKS:
The Director Health, Muhammad Amin Wani said they had adopted four-pronged approach to tackle the situation. He said the department has been ensuring ?proper treatment? to the patients besides making people aware about the disease through media and measures to be taken through media and visiting the affected places.
?There is no doubt it is cholera and good number of patients are suffering from it. But there are large numbers of cases wherein patients have been suffering from non-specific diarrhea and mixed infection.
The PHE has admitted breakdown of drinking water system in district Budgam, the Director said, adding 21 samples of water taken from the resources in different areas of Budgam had been found unsafe for drinking.
He said the Integrated Disease Surveillance department in the Union Ministry for Health and Family Affairs has been informed about the outbreak of the disease. ?However they have expressed satisfaction with our plan to handle the disease. It is for them to take up the issue with the World Health Organization,? Dr Wani said. The department has advised people across the Valley to use clean and chemically treated water.
Asserting that government was taking measures to treat the disease and stop its spread, the Minister for Health, SL Sharma, told Greater Kashmir that he has taken up the matter of unsafe drinking water in Budgam with PHE ministry. ?They are responsible to provide clean and safe drinking water to people,? he said.
Responding to the cholera outbreak, the Government Medical College Saturday decided to set up a separate ward in SMHS hospital.
Sources said the GMC principal, Dr Shahida Mir, took up the matter with the Health minister and following a discussion it was decided that ward No. 5 would be kept for cholera patients.
Dr Mir said the GMC has ordered for supply of vaccines and other drugs to treat the patients. ?The drugs will be kept available to the patients at the counter in SHMS hospital,? she said.


Lastupdate on : Sat, 28 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 28 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 29 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST

http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2010/Aug/29/cholera-spreading-44-new-cases-detected-25.asp

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Kashmir: Diarrhea patients in Budgam - 70 cholera cases confirmed

Re: Kashmir: Diarrhea patients in Budgam - 70 cholera cases confirmed

Gastroenteritis breaks out in Kupwara, 1 dead, 150 hospitalized
Shahid Rafiq
Lastupdate at : Sun, 29 Aug 2010 13:37:12 IST
Kupwara: A minor died and 150 persons were hospitalized in this frontier district after outbreak of gastroenteritis, officials said on Sunday.

They said 11-month old Laraib daughter of Muhammad Yusuf Dar of Waripora Handwara died last night while 150 others are undergoing treatment in district hospital Kupwara. Out of 150 the condition of three persons is stated to be critical.
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/ShowStoryLatest.asp?NewsID=655

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Kashmir: Diarrhea patients in Budgam - 70 cholera cases confirmed

Re: Kashmir: Diarrhea patients in Budgam - 70 cholera cases confirmed

Cholera outbreak: Cases swell
Minor Dies Of Infection; Alert Sounded In Kupwara, Budgam, Banihal
MUDDASIR ALI

Srinagar, Aug 29: With a minor dying of severe infection in north Kashmir?s Kupwara district and number of cholera-infected patients in the Valley swelling up to 100, the health authorities Sunday sounded an alert in several areas in Jammu and Kashmir even as the number of patients hit by gastroenteritis and other infectious diseases across the state crossed 3400.
Fearing spread of the disease to non-affected areas, the health authorities have started to rope in Imams, Non Governmental Organizations and different government department ?to educate people and try control the disease.? The authorities, however, asserted that influx of patients had fallen drastically.
Well placed sources told Greater Kashmir that over 50 patients with acute cholera like symptoms were received by hospitals in Srinagar, and Budgam where the disease has affected over 56 villages. ?Samples of many of these patients have been sent for tests but they are being treated for cholera infection,? they said.
The Director, Health, Muhammad Amin Wani, confirmed that 40 patients from Budgam were being treated for cholera at different hospitals.
?These were the cases of diarrhea outbreak. We have sent the samples for test. But since a good number of cholera cases have already been reported from the district they are being administered treatment for cholera,? he said. At least 70 cases of cholera have already come from the district since yesterday.
Sources said the SHMS hospital here received over 15 cases with cholera-like symptoms. ?Preliminary investigation showed that at least 10 patients could have been infected with cholera,? they said, adding the hospital, which has set up a separate ward for the cholera patients, was receiving large number of gastroenteritis cases.
Since August 16 more than 2160 cases of non-specific diarrhea, mixed infection and gastroenteritis were reported in different hospitals of Budgam and tertiary and secondary care hospitals in Srinagar. ?It was a massive outbreak. Of them at least 2100 cases were treated and discharged which is quite appreciable. The number of patients is decreasing fast,? claimed Dr Wani.

KUPWARA
However health authorities have sounded alert in the entire Kupwara district following increase in number of gastroenteritis patients and death of an infant last night due to severe infection.
Sources said 11-month old Laraib daughter of Muhammad Yusuf Dar of Warpora died last night after being shifted to Handwara hospital. The hospital?s Medical Superintendent, Dr Aleem told Greater Kashmir that Larib was suffering from acute pneumonia.
About gastroenteritis, he said more than 100 patients, mostly from affected areas of Warpora, Magam, Nathnusa and Willgam, were received by the district hospital and other peripheral medical institutes in the past three days.
?The disease has broken out due to unsafe drinking water which has been a major concern for past several years,? said Chief Medical Officer, Handwara, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Khan. He said the health department was using its vehicles fitted with loudspeakers to aware people about the disease and its preventive measures.

BUDGAM
An alert has also been sounded in district Budgam too. ?Of the 270 villages, at least 56 villages have been affected by the disease like mixed infection, non-specific diarrhea and gastroenteritis. There is no denying the fact that cholera cases have also been reported from these villages. But the number of patients reporting in the district hospitals have decreased drastically,? the CMO Budgam, Dr Abdullah, said.
The health department, he said, has involved other departments including PHE and Sheep Husbandry to reach out to people at grassroots level and educate them. ?We have constituted 23 medical teams which are treating the patients and monitoring the situation in the affected areas,? he said.
Sources said the SKIMS Medical College here had received 23 cases including gastroenteritis and infection since yesterday. ?The influx of the patients has decreased drastically since yesterday,? said a SKIMS doctor.

DODA/BANIHAL
For the past one week over 1200 cases of diarrhea and gastroenteritis were reported in hilly region of Doda. ?At least 100 patients are still admitted in different hospitals. 30 more cases of diarrhea were received today,? doctors said. Doda town and Marwat have been the worst-hit areas of the district. A control room has been established with the Phone No. 01996-233479 for registration of complaints.
The authorities have also sounded alert in Banihal area of Ramban district where more than 200 patients of gastroenteritis and diarrhea were reported in different districts for the past few days. ?At least 50 patients are still hospitalized,? the deputy commissioner Ramban said. The cases of diarrhea were reported from the areas including Lambar, Darshipora, Tantraypora, Gundalkote, Kharpora and Talla Bagh. ?The situation was under control but cases were reported from the adjoining areas as well?, BMO Banihal Dr Anwar told Greater Kashmir. He said adequate doctors and medicine were available in the sub district hospital Banihal and doctors from the district hospital Ramban were also assisting the hospital authorities.
He said that an alert has been sounded in the Tehsil. The authorities have asked people to consume only boiled water or uncooked food, which was the main cause of the disease.

DOCTORS SHOCKED
The Valley doctors are shocked over the alleged slow response of the government to tackle the serious health concern, saying government should have gone for rigorous Information Education and Communication campaign to control the spread of the disease and aware people about preventive measures. ?The number of cholera cases is likely to increase as the disease has not reached its peak when the patients? number starts to fall. There is a dire need to increase sanitation and quality of drinking water supply to the affected areas,? they said.
But the Director Health asserted that the department has already started massive health education and promotion campaign in the affected areas. ?We are roping in Imams, NGOs, and different departments, and have started a door-to-door campaign to educate people at grassroots level. Our response has been timely and adequate,? he said.

CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS
Experts believe the use of contaminated water for drinking purpose was the main reason for spread of cholera and other infectious diseases which have hit Budgam and other districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
?Due to incessant rains and sometimes cloudbursts, the fecal matter and other pollution get drained into streams and Nallah and pollute it with bacterial infection. Using this water for drinking purpose causes cholera and other infectious diseases,? said the Director, Health Services Kashmir, Muhammad Amin Wani.
He said the symptoms of the disease were diarrhea, abdominal pain, and in some cases there is vomiting and fever. ?People should avoid using direct tap water for drinking purpose and instead take chemically treated and boiled water,? doctors said.
An official in the Public Health Engineering Department said in some cases water supply running in open to an area gets contaminated by the infection resulted from draining of fecal matter into it and hence results in the disease.


Lastupdate on : Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 29 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2010/Aug/30/cholera-outbreak-cases-swell-55.asp

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Kashmir: Diarrhea patients in Budgam - 100 cholera cases confirmed

Re: Kashmir: Diarrhea patients in Budgam - 100 cholera cases confirmed

Gastroenteritis reaches Bandipore
100 MORE CASES REPORTED IN BUDGAM
TARIQ RASOOL

Bandipore/Srinagar, Aug 30: The gastroenteritis is fast spreading to other districts of the Valley with fresh cases being reported from north Kashmir Monday even as the epidemic continues to spread in worst hit central Kashmir?s Budgam district.
At least 50 persons were admitted in various hospitals here due to outbreak of gastroenteritis in Chittabanday Block of north Kashmir Bandipore district. The disease had broken due to consumption of contaminated drinking water.
Confirming the outbreak of the disease, the Block Medical Officer, Dr Bashir Ahmad Malik said around 50 cases of gastrointestinal disorder, fever and diarrhea were reported from the area. Eight of the infected patients were referred to Srinagar as their condition was deteriorating fast, Dr Malik said.
Sources said the patients had acute cholera like symptoms. ?The samples have been sent for tests. Everything will be cleared once the report comes,? sources said.
As panic gripped the people several teams of doctors and specialists were rushed to the affected areas to assess the situation.
Locals alleged the main reason for the outbreak of the disease was dumping of waste material by Army and locals in open.
Residents complained that they were receiving stinking water supply for the past five months.
??When people started to fall sick, we complained to PHE authorities but to no avail they did not pay any heed to us,?? said one Ghulam Muhammad.
?The latrine erected by the Army open into the stream which is the main causes for spread of the disease? said Abdul Hameed Lala.
Central Kashmir
More than 100 cases of gastroenteritis and patients with cholera like symptoms were reported from different villages of Budgam today.
Fresh cases of gastroenteritis were reported from Dobipora village of the district, which has been the epicenter of the disease. Since yesterday more than 31 cases were received from the village in different hospitals of the districts.
?The patients were suffering from acute gastroenteritis and mixed infections. They were treated and discharged,? said the CMO, Budgam, Dr Abdullah.
Elsewhere in the district more than 80 cases of mixed infection and gastroenteritis were received in different hospitals.
However, the CMO said the situation was improving fast. We have launched a vigorous awareness campaign and are moving from door to door to educate people,? he said.
Authorities Monday directed dismantling of latrines along the river banks in Budgam following the outbreak of Cholera and that has so far affected more than 2200 people in central Kashmir?s district alone.
Reports said Deputy Commissioner, Muhammad Rafi, carried out an extensive tour of effected villages to asses the situation He announced that 23 health institutions were being made functional round the clock and five mobile medical teams fanned out across district Budgam to combat the disease.


Lastupdate on : Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2010/Aug/31/gastroenteritis-reaches-bandipore-39.asp

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Kashmir: Diarrhea patients in Budgam - 100 cholera cases confirmed

Re: Kashmir: Diarrhea patients in Budgam - 100 cholera cases confirmed

FRESH CASES OF GASTROENTERITIS IN VALLEY
?No Case Of Cholera Reported Today?
MUDDASIR ALI

Srinagar, Aug 31: Even as more than 130 cases of gastroenteritis were reported from different parts of the Valley on Tuesday.
At least 70 new cases of gastroenteritis and mixed infection were reported from different hospitals in central Kashmir?s Budgam district that was worst hit by cholera and other infectious disease.
However, no new cases of cholera were reported today in the district?an indication that the situation was improving.
Sources said though some of the patients had cholera like symptoms, they were treated in the district health institutions, and most of them were discharged.
?Our medical teams are actively involving village heads, local Imams to educate people. There is no need to panic as number of cases has fallen,? The Chief Medical Officer, Dr Abdullah told Greater Kashmir.
More than 57 villages of the district including Khansahab were badly hit by the acute infectious diseases including cholera and gastroenteritis.
A 13-member team of doctors from Government Medical College led by Dr Salim Khan, on the directions of the College principal, Dr Shahida Mir, today visited the affected villages to asses the situation.
The team had a detailed discussion with the district health authorities regarding various aspects of cholera and other infectious diseases and the measures taken by them to prevent these from spreading.
In Hajin area of north Kashmir?s Bandipore district, more than 60 cases of gastroenteritis were reported from different hospitals.
?Most of these patients have been discharged after treatment and there is no need to panic,? Chief Medical Officer, Dr Iftikhar, told Greater Kashmir. However he added that 12 patients with acute disorder were referred to Srinagar.
The worst hit villages of the district were Magarpora, Inderkoot, Murtaza abad, Wangipora and Singapore in Hajin Block.
Director Health, Dr Muhammad Amin Wani told Greater Kashmir that the situation was fast improving.
?Our major concern was Budgam. But the trend for the past few days is a clear indication that health department has been able to tackle the health concern. We are optimistic that by next week we will be able to put lid on it,? he asserted.
(WITH INPUTS FROM TARIQ RASOOL)


Lastupdate on : Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2010/Sep/1/fresh-cases-of-gastroenteritis-in-valley-28.asp

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Kashmir: Diarrhea patients in Budgam - 100 cholera cases confirmed

Re: Kashmir: Diarrhea patients in Budgam - 100 cholera cases confirmed

Source: http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/...udgam-recorded-7-deaths-in-recent-days-15.asp

Cholera-hit Budgam recorded 7 deaths in recent days
MUDDASIR ALI
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Srinagar, Sept 4: While Kashmir Valley was in the middle of unrest over killings by police and paramilitary CRPF, seven persons died in central Kashmir?s Budgam district after the outbreak of cholera last month. To ascertain the actual number of deaths, the health authorities have now launched massive door-to-door campaign in the district...

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Kashmir: Diarrhea patients in Budgam - 100 cholera cases confirmed

Re: Kashmir: Diarrhea patients in Budgam - 100 cholera cases confirmed

Cholera hit Budgam faces major threat
MUDDASIR ALI
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Srinagar, Sept 5: Central Kashmir?s cholera hit Budgam district is facing a major threat, as authorities have detected that hundreds of laborers from outside the state working in brick kilns are one of the ?potential sources? for outbreak of the deadly disease as they defecate in open near streams, polluting the water bodies.

Though the health authorities were able to control the spread of epidemic, they fear the threat had not vanished and government should come to rescue of people.

There are more than 250 brick kilns in the entire districts with thousands of laborers working in them, said an RTI activist, Dr Muzaffar Bhat.

?Since these laborers live in temporary sheds near the kilns and don?t have proper latrine facility, they usually defecate in open near streams which pollutes the water. It is one of the major reasons for the outbreak of water borne diseases in the area,? said the Chief Medical Officer, Budgam, Dr Abdullah.
However, he added that in some areas, they had dismantled the latrines constructed by the laborers near the stream.

But is dismantling the latrines a permanent solution and could it guarantee end of a potential threat? The CMO evaded a direct answer. ?There are so many brick kilns and scores of laborers working in them. We are working with district administration and trying to ensure that people become health conscious,? he said.

Dr Muzaffar said the cholera, gastroenteritis and other infectious diseases, which had spread due to contamination of water, had broken out in low lying villages wherein the brick kilns were located.

?It is a clear indication that improper sanitation due to defecation in open by laborers is the source of contamination of water resources. If a brick kiln owner invests huge sum on his business, it is his responsibility to ensure proper sanitation facilities to the laborers,? he said.

The Block Medical Officer, Beerwah, Dr Fayaz Ahmad told Greater Kashmir that the defecation in open by the laborers was always a ?potential threat? for spread of infectious diseases.

More than 100 cases of cholera and over 2200 cases of gastroenteritis and other diseases were reported from the district, which was the epicenter of the epidemic, for two weeks since August 16. Health and district authorities had to launch massive campaign to prevent spread of the diseases. Of 270 Budgam villages more than 56 villages were hit.

Sources said inadequate supply of safe drinking water to many villages was another reason for people falling ill.

?Of 71 filtration plants in the district only 22 are functional. At least 60 to 70 percent of population was not receiving safe drinking water,? sources said.
Besides, in some villages drains directly end up in the streams and nallahs wherefrom the contaminated water is lifted by the Public Health Engineering department and stored in reservoirs for supply to villages before treating it with bleaching powder.


Lastupdate on : Sun, 5 Sep 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 5 Sep 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 6 Sep 2010 00:00:00 IST
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2010/Sep/6/cholera-hit-budgam-faces-major-threat-45.asp

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Kashmir: Diarrhea patients in Budgam - 100 cholera cases confirmed

Re: Kashmir: Diarrhea patients in Budgam - 100 cholera cases confirmed

Govt fumbles on health records
Sham pledges CC ambulances in all DHs


Abid Bashir
Srinagar, Sept 23: State?s Health Ministry was caught on a ?wrong foot? on Thursday when it expressed its ignorance about the number of injured people since unrest began on June 11. Ministry also fumbled over those affected in the recent pandemic which broke in the state in last month and was initially downplayed by the authorities.



Addressing a media gathering at Banquet Hall, Srinagar, Health Minister, Sham Lal Sharma could not answer when asked about the number of injured patients in various hospitals of Srinagar. ?The data in this regard must be available with the ministry of medical education,? Sham Lal replied. He, however, said health ministry was fully equipped to deal with any challenge.
What further embarrassed the government was the revelation of the new numbers of those affected in the recent pandemic. Today Health Minister put the numbers as 10,000, but when the epidemic first broke, state government downplayed the numbers significantly. ?In Budgam district, 2691 cases of cholera were reported while 500 were confirmed from Kupwara district. Doda took a lead with 3381 cholera cases,? Sham Lal said. ?Similar cases were reported from Bandipore, Pulwama, Ramban and Baramulla districts.? He further said there were two deaths in the state due to this epidemic.Hospitals across the valley have witnesses unprecedented rush of both out and indoor patients. ?Under the prevailing situation, the health department is working round the clock in its all 1594 health care institutions across Kashmir division,? the Minister said.
?In the month of August 2010 alone, Srinagar hospitals registered 54805 OPD patients while 1463 patients were admitted. 185 major surgeries were also conducted,? the Minister said.
According to Sharma by March 31 next year, all district and sub-district hospitals would be laced with ambulances. Sources said there are only two critical care ambulances in the state, one for the Governor, N N Vohra and another for Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah.
http://www.risingkashmir.com/news/govt-fumbles-on-health-records-1682.aspx

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Kashmir: Diarrhea patients in Budgam - 10,000 cholera cases

Cholera outbreak claims one life in Isl?bad

Ishfaq Mir
Srinagar, Sep 25: One person died and 15 others were hospitalized after outbreak of Cholera in the remote village of Hallan in Verinag of south Kashmir?s Islamabad district on Saturday.



Reports confirm that Nazir Ahmad Khatana (43) son of Kalla Khatana of Hallan Kapran died in a hospital in Verinag on Saturday while 15 others are undergoing treatment.
Locals said that the disease broke two days ago after consuming tap-water from a tank constructed by the Public Health Engineering Department. However, PHE officials denied the sayings of public.
?The locals are using water from a nearby spring whose water got contaminated by the recent heavy downpour in the hills, while the water supplied by PHE from the tank reservoir is completely safe. The entire reservoir is closed from all sides, so there is no question of water getting contaminated in it,? said Assistant Executive Engineer, PHE sub-division Dooru-Verinag.
As soon as the news of the death of a person due to cholera spread, panic gripped the entire area. A team of doctors led by Block Medical Officer, Dr Rukhsana along with police and civil officials visited the affected village.
Doctoral team advised people to be cautious and use boiled water for all drinking purposes. The doctors also issued certain guidelines to the people of affected village and the areas adjacent to it.
http://www.risingkashmir.com/news/cholera-outbreak-claims-one-life-in-isl’bad-1760.aspx