Date:17/05/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/05/17/stories/2004051709640300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

55 more hospitalised for cholera

By Karthik Subramanian

Cholera-affected patients in the Chennai Corporation's Communicable Diseases Hospital at Tondiarpet.

CHENNAI, MAY 16. Fiftyfive people from Pulianthope and surrounding areas were admitted to the Communicable Diseases Hospital at Tondiarpet with symptoms of cholera on Sunday.

Chennai Corporation health officials continued their efforts to sensitise residents of North Chennai to boil water before drinking and avoid drinking water available through the Metrowater pipeline. It has been four days since the water-borne disease broke out.

So far, the disease has claimed the lives of two persons and has rendered more than 170 bed-ridden. The condition of 20 per cent of those admitted to the hospital run by the Corporation has been termed serious. However, doctors say the patients are under medical supervision and the situation will be under control.

The hospital director, B. Janarthanan, said all patients would be kept under observation for five days and discharged only after ascertaining that they were cured.

The Health Minister, N. Thalavai Sundaram, and the Deputy Mayor, `Karate' R. Thiagarajan, visited the hospital today and enquired about the health of the patients.

The Corporation Commissioner, M. P. Vijayakumar, who coordinated with Metrowater officials to control the outbreak, appealed to the residents not to consume flea-infested food items.

Officials have identified the source of contamination in a segment of Metrowater pipeline near Otteri where rainwater had entered the supply line. Water samples have been lifted from the spot. Corporation and Metrowater officials will conduct tests on the samples.

Corporation sources said most patients had consumed water, which was available in the Metrowater pipeline between its Red Hills distribution plant and the Chennai Harbour. "The recent rains flooded some water mains, with rainwater entering the pipeline. Residents pumped water out of the pipeline and consumed it," an official said on the possible cause for the outbreak.

Corporation helpline

The Corporation has set up an emergency cell to respond to residents regarding the cholera outbreak. Health department officials can be contacted over phone at 2595 2687 and 2595 2688. The Health Officer can be contacted at 2538 3611.