Cholera outbreak secondary to contaminated pipe water in an urban area, West Bengal, India, 2006.
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Date
2009-03
Journal Title
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Abstract
Outbreaks of cholera are common in West Bengal. In April 2006, Garulia municipality reported a cluster of diarrhea cases. We investigated this cluster to identify the etiological
agent, source of transmission and propose control measures.
We defined a case of diarrhea as occurrence of >3 loose/watery
stools a day among the residents of Garulia since April
2006. We searched for cases of diarrhea in health care facilities
and health camp. We conducted a gender- and age-matched
case–control study to identify risk factors. We inspected the
sanitation and water supply system. We collected rectal swabs
from diarrhea patients and water specimens from the affected
areas for laboratory investigation. Two hundred and ninetyeight
cases of diarrhea were reported to various health care facilities
(attack rate: 3.5/1000, no deaths). The attack rate was
highest among children (6.4/1000). Vibrio cholerae El Tor O1
Inaba was isolated from two of 7 rectal swabs. The outbreak
started on 10 April 2006, peaked on 26 April and lasted till
6 May. Cases clustered in an area distal to leaking water pipelines.
Drinking municipal water exclusively was significantly
associated with the illness (OR 13, 95% CI=6.5–27). Eight
of the 12 water specimens from the affected area had fecal
contamination and poor chlorine content. This outbreak was
due to a contaminated municipal piped water supply and V. cholera 01 Inaba was possibly the causative organism.
Description
Keywords
Cholera, Outbreaks, Municipality, Vibrio cholerae El Tor O1 Inaba
Citation
Bhunia Rama, Ramakrishnan Ramachandran, Hutin Yvan, Gupte Mohan D. Cholera outbreak secondary to contaminated pipe water in an urban area, West Bengal, India, 2006. Indian Journal of Gastroenterology. 2009 Mar-Apr; 28(2): 62-64.