With the pandemic receding and summer setting in, the focus has now shifted on enteric diseases, especially gastroenteritis (GE). According to the State Health and Family Welfare Department’s status report of communicable diseases in Karnataka, a total of 18,659 GE cases have been reported from January till February end this year. Data for March is not available as it is yet to be compiled.
Enteric illnesses are frequently characterised by diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and fever among other symptoms. They can be transmitted via ingestion of contaminated food or water, exposure to infected vomit or faeces, direct or indirect contact with infected persons or animals or contaminated objects.
Doctors said enteric diseases are a major concern in summer, especially this year with the pandemic receding. In the last two years, the focus was on COVID-19 and people hardly reported any other ailments.
Adding to the burden of enteric diseases is the increasing number of typhoid and viral hepatitis cases. As many as 7,371 typhoid cases and 747 viral hepatitis cases have been reported across the State in the last two months. While 89 cases of leptospirosis have been reported, no cases of cholera have been reported.
State Health Commissioner Randeep D. told The Hindu on Wednesday that there has not been an outbreak in any district so far. “Although the number of enteric illness cases are increasing by the day, the situation is not alarming as no deaths have been reported. There is no need to panic as this is the usual trend every year during summer. People should take adequate precautions to avoid getting infected,” he said.
Cases in Bengaluru division
According to data, Bengaluru division has recorded the highest number of GE cases both in January (5,546) and February (6,327) followed by Kalaburagi division with 2,209 cases in January and 1,836 in February. Davangere, Yadgir, Haveri, Chamarajanagar, and Chikkamagalur are districts of concern.
In Bengaluru, the State-run Epidemic Diseases Hospital on Old Madras Road has been getting around 30 cases of acute gastroenteritis cases a week of which an average of eight require admission. Doctors in Victoria and K.C. General hospitals too are seeing a steady flow of GE cases. B.R. Venkateshaiah, Medical Superintendent of K.C. General Hospital, said while there is no significant rise in the number of cases from any particular areas, the hospital was seeing sporadic cases daily.
Bengaluru district surgeon Suresh N.V., who is also the Medical Superintendent of Epidemic Diseases Hospital, said there is no outbreak reported and most of the cases are sporadic from low-lying slums. “Although no samples have tested positive for cholera, we have geared up to deal with an increasing number of acute gastroenteritis cases. The admissions have increased in the last three weeks mainly because people are getting dehydrated quickly due to the heat,” he said. “In cases of acute gastroenteritis, if patients are not given adequate fluids and re-hydrated immediately, there are chances of renal failure,” the doctor explained.
General physician Haleema Yezdani, who is volunteering at Project Stepone and Emergency Response Team groups, said she has been seeing at least 10 patients reporting diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and vomiting every day in the last fortnight. The best way to stay safe is to drink boiled and cooled water, consume fresh and properly cooked food apart from maintaining personal hygiene. People should avoid consuming cut fruits and street food, Dr. Yezdani added.
