The Bengaluru municipal corporation, BBMP, recently issued an advisory regarding seasonal diseases and precautions following concerns about cholera in the city, particularly after a 27-year-old woman in Malleshwaram showed symptoms that initially raised suspicion of cholera. Although subsequent tests for cholera came back negative, the incident prompted the BBMP to increase its health education efforts with a focus on disease transmission awareness and sanitation practices to prevent any potential outbreaks.
In response to the suspected cholera case, the BBMP's health department advised all zonal health and medical officers to establish rapid response teams at the constituency level to effectively deal with any cholera-related emergencies. The municipal corporation also recommended that establishments like hotels, restaurants, and cafes provide customers with boiled drinking water as a preventive measure against waterborne diseases. Additionally, efforts were made to monitor potential cholera cases by requesting reports on suspected cases from various healthcare facilities within the jurisdiction of the BBMP.
Furthermore, the BBMP emphasized the importance of creating awareness among the public by setting up ORS corners at Urban Primary Health Centres and educating people on the prevention of waterborne diseases like cholera. The municipal corporation conducted a detailed survey in the suspected disease area, covering 165 houses, where fortunately, no additional cases were detected. As part of their preventive measures, the BBMP instructed senior health inspectors to collect water samples daily for surveillance by public health Institute labs to monitor the water quality and prevent potential cholera outbreaks in the city.