Cholera Case Confirmed in Bengaluru, Karnataka Govt Says 'Tests Being Done But It's Not an Outbreak'

Rising temperatures, water shortage and consumption of contaminated food or water have led to Bengaluru seeing one confirmed case of cholera. State health department officials have confirmed that consumption of contaminated water has led to one confirmed case of cholera. Two other samples have gone for testing.

“We are keeping a close watch on cases that are being reported related to diarrhoea and are also being tested for cholera. However, it cannot be termed as an outbreak,” explained Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, while speaking to News18.

The person confirmed positive for cholera has been living as a paying guest in Bengaluru’s Malleswaram and the premises is said to have been using water that had not been treated properly. All three samples sent for testing are from the same PG. Health officials have also sent water samples from the PG to trace the origin of the water supply to understand how the infection spread.

Tushar Girinath, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Commissioner, spoke to News18 on the case of cholera and the tests being done. He reiterated that “this was not an outbreak.” He said that there are two tests that are done to test for cholera, and the first one, which has more immediate results, came out positive.

The officials are awaiting results of the second confirmation test. “Two more cases of diarrhoea were reported from the same PG, following which they have taken a large number of samples from the area to conduct further tests,” he explained.

“The laboratory test results are awaited. What we know is that they have not been consuming water supplied by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). Their source of water has been from some borewell, we are trying to find the cause,” Girinath said.

He added that as a precaution, BWSSB also has taken steps to increase chlorination of water, and water samples from different points in the city are being taken to keep a check on the cholera strain.

With the IT city witnessing temperatures breaching 37 degrees, water shortage due to drought across the state, there has been an unprecedented demand for water from various sources. Officials also pointed out that people who have tested positive for cholera earlier, ate food from roadside eateries where the threat of water contamination is higher.

Rao also said that the state will be issuing an advisory to create awareness on the issue. “People should ensure they boil water well before drinking. They should also consume fresh food and avoid eating at small eateries or roadside places where hygiene is questionable. Places that sell food like pani puri stalls are at the risk of such contamination and should be avoided,” the health minister warned.

Cholera is a waterborne disease which leads to dehydration, potentially affecting the kidneys and causing fatalities, explain doctors. Doctors suggest people should be extremely careful while drinking water, ensure that it is clean and safe drinking water, improve sanitation, and encourage vaccination in high-risk regions on a regular basis.