Cholera epidemic raging in eastern India

The number of deaths from cholera outbreak in the state of Orissa, eastern India has reached 115 people. The above information is confirmed by local authorities.

Over the past two days, 35 people have died from the disease in three villages of tribal groups. According to local officials, cholera affected three districts of Rayagada, Koraput and Kalahandi, where more than 2,000 people were hospitalized.

Doctors say the cause of the fluids comes from contaminated water and food. According to unofficial sources, the death toll could be higher than 200 people.

More than 2,000 people were hospitalized for cholera (Photo: BBC)

The cholera epidemic began in Kashipur village, in Rayagada district, about 500km from Orissa state capital Bhubaneswar. A senior regional health official said at least 64 people died here. Orissa state surveillance agency said it had recorded cholera-related deaths outside the three areas of the tribal groups.

The disease with initial symptoms often suspected as diarrhea, was confirmed as a cholera by the microbiology department of MKCG Hospital in Berhampur and the regional research laboratory in Bhubaneswar. Health officials said tests from 43 patient samples from affected villages recorded at least 31 cases of cholera.

Orissa state governor, Naveen Patnaik, said patients were being treated by a group of doctors specifically in government hospitals. In addition, guidelines for cleaning water sources have been sent to the district administrative offices in the region.

The situation of people using polluted water and rotten food is the cause of this epidemic. Areas attacked by cholera in the Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput region are one of the most backward-looking districts in India.

Also according to the authority, most patients are minority.