Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 27:
Following detection of cases of Cholera in two patients admitted to Shija Hospital and Research Institute here, the matter has been reported to the State Health Department.
Interestingly, apart from its rare occurrence in Manipur and negligible report of new cases in other parts of the country over the last many years, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has stopped manufacturing the vaccine for Cholera 10 years ago.
Cholera is an infectious and often fatal disease of the small intestine caused by the bacterium Vibrio Cholerae resulting in severe vomiting.
According to information received by The Sangai Express from Shija Hospital, after the recent flood in the State in the month of October, two patients, one from Yairipok Bamon Leikai and the other from Uripok Haorungbam Leikai, suspected to be suffering from Cholera were admitted to the medical centre for treatment on November 15.During the course of laboratory testing of the blood samples of the patients, their cases were confirmed as Cholera and the bacterium causing the disease detected.
Fortunately, both the patients were cured and discharged from the hospital.
Along with carrying out health surveillance of the other family members of the two patients to find out whether they too suffered from similar symptoms of the disease which is spread mainly through contaminated food and water, the authority of Shija Hospital has reported the matter related to detection of Cholera cases in the State to the Health Department for taking up necessary preventive measures.
Meanwhile, a source from Health Department informed that the vaccine for Cholera has not been manufactured by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare since 1997 as there has been no report of new cases of Cholera in the country over the last many years.
In such a situation, the best preventive measure from Cholera is health education, the source added.