Kathmandu, July 13. Dr. Chuman Lal Das, Director of the Disease Control Division of the health ministry, announced on Wednesday that one more case of Cholera infection have been detected in Kathmandu valley.

“A person from Balkot of Bhaktapur district has been diagnosed with Cholera … the number of cases has reached 28 inside the valley,” Das told reporters.

Background

Last month,  the Kathmandu-based District Public Health Office confirmed that Cholera cases were found in Bagbazar, Bhotebahal, and Dillibazar areas.

Shortly after, the metropolitan corporation of Kathmandu imposed temporary bans on Street foods. “Sale and distribution of food items that involves using of water have been banned… We will take action against those businesses which will not obey our orders” Metropolis Health Chief Balram Tripathi announced.

The National Public Health Lab has been examining water samples collected from suspected areas. The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control is also inspecting restaurants and hotels for food cleanliness.

The Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited has also checked the conditions of water pipelines and sewerage systems.

Cholera

Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with Vibrio cholerae bacteria. Ingesting food or water with cholera bacteria can make a person ill. Although the infection is mostly minor or symptomless, it can sometimes be serious and life-threatening.

Early signs and symptoms include:

• profuse watery diarrhea
• vomiting
• thirst
• leg cramps
• restlessness or irritability

Dehydration and renal failure are both serious risks. People with severe cholera can develop severe dehydration, which can lead to kidney failure. Severe dehydration can cause shock, a coma, and death within hours if left untreated.