Bengaluru – June 18: An outbreak of cholera has been confirmed in Chinnenahalli, located in the Madhugiri taluk of Tumakuru district, following a temple festival that took place last week. The outbreak has resulted in the deaths of six people initially, with over 100 individuals experiencing symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea.
Health and family welfare officials have been working urgently to contain the spread of the infection. As part of these efforts, 11 more people were admitted to hospitals in Madhugiri and Tumakuru on Sunday evening. Laboratory reports confirmed that a 33-year-old man tested positive for cholera. District Health Officer Dr. Manjunath explained, “His stool samples confirmed he has cholera and as per protocol, we have been treating the patient.”
The situation worsened on Monday when another senior citizen died in Madhugiri village, bringing the total death toll from the temple fair tragedy to seven. However, Dr. Manjunath clarified that the senior citizen’s death was due to age-related issues rather than symptoms related to vomiting or diarrhea.
The outbreak has prompted a vigorous response from health authorities. Measures are being implemented to prevent further spread of the disease, including isolating affected individuals and conducting extensive sanitation drives in the affected areas. Health officials are also distributing oral rehydration salts (ORS) and antibiotics to those exhibiting symptoms to mitigate the effects of dehydration and bacterial infection.
Local residents have been advised to take preventive measures such as boiling drinking water, practicing good personal hygiene, and avoiding consuming food from unreliable sources. The health department has set up emergency response teams to monitor the situation and provide medical assistance as needed.
This outbreak underscores the critical need for improved sanitation and public health awareness in rural areas, particularly during large gatherings such as temple festivals. Authorities are committed to ensuring that the outbreak is contained swiftly and that necessary steps are taken to prevent such incidents in the future.