BIRGUNJ, Aug 27: Following the spread of a cholera outbreak in Birgunj, the general public in Birgunj has begun fleeing the city. People living in rented accommodations, those originally from other areas but temporarily settling in Birgunj and small business owners are all leaving.
Since last Friday, Birgunj Metropolitan City (BMC) has witnessed an outbreak of diarrhea and cholera. As the epidemic has worsened, the number of people visiting Birgunj has significantly decreased. Those going to the city for shopping, medical treatment or other purposes are now very few.
Pankaj Mishra, a local resident of BMC-11, says the streets of Murli area, which are usually crowded and difficult to cross, now see very few people.
Pramshila Devi of Devtal Rural Municipality-2 in Bara fled with her children after the cholera outbreak. “Schools have been closed since last Sunday and fear of the epidemic is widespread,” she said. “After everyone living on rent fled, we also returned home with our children.”
Street vendors, those working in other shops, and students and teachers of private schools have also returned home. Thousands of Indian residents engaged in various professions and businesses have fled Birgunj. Residents of the city have become extremely cautious, practicing social distancing similar to that observed during the COVID-19 period.
Stars, KIEC Birgunj win in Birgunj Premier League
Local residents say that after widespread fear, those with alternatives do not wish to stay in Birgunj. The festival season has also contributed to the low population in the city.
Police Issue Internal circular to follow cholera protocols
In the wake of the cholera outbreak in BMC, the District Police Office (DPO), Parsa, has issued an internal circular directing all police units to follow cholera protocols.
The circular advises attention to cleanliness, drinking hot water, and other cholera precautions. Superintendent of Police (SP) Gautam Mishra, head of the DPO, stated that even among police staff, some suspected cases have been detected, and all necessary precautions have been instructed. A police staff member at Ward Police Office, Shreepur, is under treatment for suspected symptoms.
Schools closed until Friday
Community and institutional schools within BMC will remain closed until Friday, August 29. In a stakeholder meeting held on Tuesday, it was decided to extend the school closures for three more days in view of the epidemic.
Schools were initially closed for two days last Sunday and Monday, and were automatically closed on Tuesday for the Teej festival. From Wednesday to Friday, schools will remain closed as per the decision of the mayor-level meeting.
Lab tests confirm 8 of 10 samples positive
The National Public Health Laboratory, Kathmandu, reported that stool samples of patients treated in Birgunj hospitals tested positive for cholera. According to Dr. Ranjan Bhatta, head of the lab, 8 out of 10 tested samples confirmed cholera. The remaining two samples are expected to report results by Wednesday.
Dr. Bhatta stated that culture tests conducted on patients’ stool samples from Birgunj hospitals confirmed cholera in over 80 percent of the cases, indicating a high risk of community-level spread.
Patients discharged after treatment
Patients receiving treatment at various hospitals in Birgunj are being discharged after recovery. According to a report by the Health Department of BMC released on Tuesday, 171 patients with cholera and diarrhea have been discharged so far.
On Friday, 391 patients with diarrhea and cholera were admitted to different hospitals in Birgunj for treatment. Among them, 171 patients were discharged after treatment, according to Public Health Officer Suman Chandra Thakur. Currently, 220 patients are receiving treatment in Birgunj hospitals for diarrhea and cholera. By Tuesday, 95 cases of cholera had been confirmed in Birgunj, Thakur added.
Mayor Rajeshman Singh of BMC stated that the municipality has been working in coordination with provincial and federal governments at a war-footing level since Saturday to control and prevent the outbreak, and the infection is now under containment.
