Cholera-like epidemic claims one in Ahmednagar, 500 fall sick

A cholera-like epidemic is widely spreading in Bhingar and the adjoining camp areas in Ahmednagar and about 500 persons have fallen sick of it, the district civil hospital sources said today.

Contaminated water supply and lack of cleanliness said to have caused the epidemic.

The epidemic has claimed one life at Boot hospital. Prakash Ghodke, 52, was the deceased. About 50 patients are undergoing treatment in the district civil hospital and a special cell has been opened there. Thirty patients are from Bhingar.

Many patients are getting treatment at Cantonment hospital and in private hospitals. Cantonment hospital has a capacity of about 25 patients but actually 35-40 patients are undergoing treatment. Sources at the district hospital said that they will confirm tomorrow what the disease is.

There is a lack of sufficient number of doctors and nurses. Yet, two doctors and staff are working hard to treat the patients, hospital sources said.

The epidemic has caused panic among the people and the attendance of students is going down in schools.