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Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Rise in cholera, typhoid cases in Delhi: Doctors
Delhi is seeing a rise in monsoon-related illnesses, especially typhoid and cholera, according to city doctors, who said that people should take preventive measures and those at higher risk should consider getting vaccinated against typhoid. Waterlogged areas become breeding ground for mosquitoes. Doctors said that the surge in cholera and typhoid cases is attributable to poor sanitation and hygiene. (HT Archive) The Fortis Memorial Research Institute said that the hospital has seen a spike in typhoid cases among patients visiting the OPD in the past couple of weeks, said Dr Neha Rastogi Panda, consultant, infectious diseases at the hospital. 'Usually we get one or two typhoid cases in a month, but with the monsoon onset that has increased to almost 7-8 typhoid cases in a week at our hospital. Usually every year, we see more cases in mid-August, but this time cases have started coming earlier than usual,' she said. The rise is being attributed to excess rains in the city this monsoon, experts said. Another development is that cases of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid fever, caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, have increased over the years, Dr Panda added. 'These strains are resistant to multiple antibiotics, such as cephalosporins,' she said. Dr Rakesh Pandit, senior consultant and HOD, internal medicine, Aakash Healthcare, supported the observation of a rise in typhoid and cholera cases. 'In recent weeks, we have seen a noticeable increase in cases of cholera and typhoid. Both are waterborne diseases primarily caused by consuming contaminated water or food,' he said, adding, 'This rise is often connected to monsoon-related waterlogging, poor sanitation, and improper sewage disposal, which allow harmful bacteria to thrive. Unhygienic food handling and lack of access to clean drinking water worsen the situation.' 'Both conditions can be prevented with timely precautions. People should ensure they drink only boiled or filtered water and avoid raw or uncovered street food. Hand hygiene is crucial. Washing hands thoroughly before eating and after using the toilet can significantly lower the risk. Vaccination for typhoid is available and recommended, especially for children and those in high-risk areas,' Dr Pandit added. Doctors said cases of drug-resistant typhoid have been made worse by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. 'Drug-resistant typhoid is harder to treat and can lead to longer illness, complications, and even hospitalisation. It spreads through the same channels, unsafe water, poor sanitation, and contaminated food,' said Dr Bhushan Bhole, senior consultant, GI surgery and liver transplantation, PSRI Hospital. He added, 'Vaccination can be a powerful preventive tool. The typhoid vaccine (including ViPS or conjugated vaccines) is recommended in high-risk areas, and oral cholera vaccines may be useful if outbreaks occur. Additionally, if you rely on public water supplies, monitor chlorine levels, as low chlorine has been reported in some locations, at home, consider boiling or chlorinating water before drinking.' 'Preventing these diseases during the monsoon involves simple but critical steps, drink only safe water, practice strict hand hygiene, avoid eating street food, and maintain proper sanitation. Vaccines can provide additional protection. And at the first sign of persistent fever, diarrhoea, or dehydration, consult a doctor immediately,' he said. Dr Atul Gogia, senior consultant and head, infectious diseases, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, also confirmed that there is a surge in cholera and typhoid cases in recent times, primarily attributable to poor sanitation and hygiene. He added that proper hygiene, clean drinking water, properly cooked food, and avoiding unhygienic food and water can help in prevention, especially during the monsoon season.
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Business Standard
01-06-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Infectious variants, viral season behind Covid surge, say experts
Doctors and epidemiologists say that a combination of the emergence of mild but infectious variants, decreased testing and the onset of the viral season is behind the sudden rise in Covid-19 cases from just 35 on April 28 to over 3,700 within a month. This comes as India recorded 3,758 active Covid-19 cases on June 1, with five states — Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat and Karnataka — accounting for 76 per cent of the total infections in the country, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Among states, Kerala has the highest caseload of 1,400 — a rise of 970 cases over the last week. It is followed by Maharashtra at 485 cases, of which 50 were reported on Saturday. Delhi too saw an increase of 332 cases since May 26, with the national capital currently reporting 436 active Covid-19 cases. Similarly, Gujarat and Karnataka are also reporting high caseloads at 320 and 238 active cases respectively. The surge has been more pronounced in the last weeks of May 2025, with health ministry data suggesting that India saw a 272 per cent rise in cases within the six-day period from May 26 (1,010 cases) to June 1. Neha Rastogi Panda, consultant–infectious diseases at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, said that Kerala, Maharashtra and Delhi are seeing a notable uptick in infections from emerging subvariants of the JN.1 variant such as NB.1.8.1 and LF.7. According to data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (Insacog), India has already detected six cases of the LF.7 variant from Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Similarly, two cases of the NB.1.8.1 subvariant have been detected from Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu this month. While these subvariants may not be behind India's current surge, JN.1 still remains the dominant strain in the country. According to sources in the ministry, the surge is being led by the JN.1, XFG and LF 7.9 variants, which belong to the Omicron family and cause mild infections. 'A notable but gradual increase in cases of acute respiratory illnesses caused by seasonal influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory syncytial virus is being seen in some parts of the country,' sources in the ministry added. Panda added that while high transmission is also being observed, there is no rise in severe cases that may require hospitalisation. Another doctor added that a reason behind the rise in cases could be increased testing. 'Rising case numbers have led to an uptick in testing, which had reduced considerably over the year,' he added. Sabine Kapasi, advisor, public health and healthcare services, and strategist with the United Nations Covid-19 Task Force, said that while the numbers are not alarming, they do signal a need for vigilance. To counter the current surge, several states and union territories have issued advisories asking both government and private hospitals to ensure preparedness in terms of beds, oxygen, antibiotics and other drugs. State governments have also asked hospitals for daily reporting of influenza-like illnesses and severe acute respiratory illnesses to the Centre's Integrated Health Information Platform. Central health authorities have also swung into action, holding several review meetings to assess the situation in the country. According to reports, Union health secretary Punya Salila Srivastava has asked all states to submit an action taken report over preparedness plans by June 2.
