Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Udupi (MS)

Mangaluru/Udupi, Sep 21: A case of cholera was confirmed a few days ago under the jurisdiction of the Nellikaru Primary Health Centre in Moodbidri, Dakshina Kannada (DK). The person has since recovered. No cases of Mpox or Nipah have been reported in the district, according to DHO Dr H R Timmaiah.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Dr Timmaiah said, “A person who ate at a hotel in Udupi developed cholera. As of now, there is no cause for panic. We are keeping the hotel under surveillance, and all primary health care centres in the district have been instructed to monitor contagious diseases.”

“A meeting with the Hotel Owners’ Association was held, and instructions were given to ensure that customers are provided with clean, boiled, and cooled drinking water. A task force meeting, chaired by the zilla panchayat CEO, was also conducted. Officials from all departments participated, and it was decided that all overhead water tanks in the district will be cleaned once every three months."

“When a person is affected by cholera, dehydration occurs due to dysentery. Anyone experiencing vomiting and dysentery should immediately seek medical attention. People should avoid consuming food sold by roadside hawkers. Awareness should be created among children about washing their hands before eating."

“The health department has instructed officials to monitor NIFA cases in the district as a precaution, given the confirmed cases in the neighbouring state of Kerala. However, no actions such as border checks have been initiated. Medical colleges and hospitals in the district have been asked to monitor for any NIFA cases.”

“So far, there are no cases of Mpox in DK. Surveillance of passengers arriving from African countries is being conducted at NMPT and the international airport in the city. Ambulances are on standby at both locations, and six beds have been reserved at the district hospital. There is no specific treatment for Mpox, but with good immunity and professional medical care, patients can recover."

District surveillance officer Dr Naveen Chandra Kulal added, “This virus spreads through the eyes, mouth, skin, nasal fluids, and breath from one person to another. It starts with boils on the anus, genitals, chest, face, and mouth, and can spread to other parts of the body. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, and cold. The infection lasts for about a month, resulting in painful boils with pus. This year, 126 cases of H1N1 have been reported in DK, with one death."

In Udupi, cholera cases are on the rise, with 23 reported so far. Eleven patients have already been discharged, and the remaining cases are active. On Friday, 12 new cases were reported, including two in Kaup and one in Katapadi. The rest were detected among migrant workers residing and working in the Malpe fishing area. Local authorities are inspecting public places, hotels, schools, and colleges to ensure cleanliness.