Amid an outbreak of cholera in the Kathmandu Valley, the Ministry of Health and Population has considered in launching a vaccination drive to contain the spread of the infectious disease.
If not controlled immediately, cholera could continue for months, and vaccination could an effective means to prevent the spread, officials said.
Dr Chuman Lal Das, director at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, said a request has made with the International Vaccine Institute and the World Health Organisation for vaccination. “The International Vaccine Institute told us that they cannot provide the vaccine doses. We have been waiting for a response from the UN health body,” he said.
Cholera outbreak( Vaccination)
At least 23 people from various places in the Valley and Makwanpur district have tested positive for Vibrio cholera 01 Ogawa serotype as of Thursday.
With cases of infection of the deadly disease reported from various places of the Valley, public health experts estimate that the deadly pathogens might have already spread in several other places of the Capital. Given that, it has been challenging to run ring vaccination against cholera.
Cases of cholera have been reported from Bagbazar, Dillibazar, Balaju, Balkhu, Sanepa, Kapan, Naikap, Kageshwori Manohara, Bhaktapur, and Jaisidewal in the Valley.
“Huge resources will be needed to administer the oral vaccination to people residing in the Valley,” said Das, director of the division.
Cholera is a highly infectious disease that causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting, which leads to dehydration and even death within a few hours if left untreated.
Public health experts say that number of cases could be just the tip of the iceberg, as only around 10 percent of the infected people with cholera develop severe symptoms such as watery diarrhoea and vomiting.
The World Health Organisation says cholera is a global threat to public health and an indicator of inequality and a lack of social development.
