Fresh cholera scare grips Chennai

Chennai: Amid mounting number of diarrhoea cases, people in North Chennai have begun to fear a cholera outbreak again. Adding fuel to the fire was the case of a 5-year-old boy with symptoms of ADD (Acute Diarrhoeal Disease) from Korukkupet, who was brought dead to the Stanley Medical College on Friday last.

Satish, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a very young age, was suffering from fever and diarrhoea since August 1, his relatives said. He died while being taken to the hospital, they added. “His mother declined to allow an autopsy to check for cholera. Soon, government doctors from elsewhere came home and persuaded us to complete the cremation within two hours,” said a relative from Meenambal Nagar, who wished to remain anonymous.

The word soon spread and over the weekend and into this week, there has been a sudden spike in the number of diarrhoea claims at the Communicable Diseases Hospital (CDH) at Tondiarpet. Though Satish’s death may not be due to cholera, officials with the Corporation reiterated that they were conducting medical checks in that entire zone.

Amid mounting number of diarrhoea cases, people in North Chennai have begun to fear a cholera outbreak again.

“Three of the boy’s relatives — his brothers Gautham (3) and Manikandan (1) and cousin Nalini (6)—were all admitted to the CDH with acute diarrhoea. They were discharged on Tuesday, but the cholera scare will remain,” an official said.

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