Imagine, you can get an outbreak of cholera from kebab. Actually, you can stop imagining. For that's what's happening these days of fasting, and nights of feasting — Ramzan feasting!
A sharp enough rise in the number of cholera cases in Byculla, Bhendi Bazaar and Mohammad Ali Road in recent weeks goes to prove the point. The BMC has asked maulanas of these areas to issue an advisory, asking people to be careful when eating from roadside stalls.
With a rise in the number of positive cases of hanging drop — the first test of cholera — in these areas, the BMC health department has asked religious leaders to read out a list of ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ after namaaz.
“We wanted to reach out to the masses. During prayers, a lot of people turn up. If the maulana reads out an advisory, it will serve our purpose,” said a senior health officer.
To break the day’s fast, many flock to roadside eateries that line the streets of Byculla, Bhendi Bazaar and Md Ali Road. With most of these stalls located in unhygienic surroundings, little care is taken on how the food is prepared, said BMC officials. Also, many of the stalls have illegal water connections with the pipes crossing paths with sewage lines and sometimes sharing content.
Officials said these factors contributed to the rise in the number of cholera cases. Several people have been admitted to Kasturba Hospital with severe diarrhoea, gastroenteritis and cholera symptoms. Many have tested positive for vibreo cholera.
Health officials have also contacted mosques in Kurla and Govandi, which too have seen a rise in stomach ailments.
Executive health officer Dr Anil Bandiwadekar said the advisory would include advice such as boiling water for 20 minutes before drinking and not consuming cut fruits and unwashed vegetables.
"We are inspecting the affected areas and distributing chlorine tablets in places, which have seen a rise in gastro cases," said Bandiwadekar.
More than 3,000 people have been admitted to various hospitals in the city over the past two weeks for treatment of stomach ailments.
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