Cholera Spreads In Bengaluru: Medical College Girls’ Hostel Sees Cases, Another Diagnosed In Bommanahalli

Students at the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) women's hostel are vacating their rooms following a cholera outbreak, with two out of 49 students found infected.

Among the 49 students who fell ill at the hostel, culture test results for 22 have been received, revealing cholera in two students. The reports for the remaining students are awaited, causing anxiety among the hostel inmates.

Of the affected students, 21 are reportedly receiving treatment at the trauma care center and are expected to be discharged today, while the others continue treatment. Currently, all students are in stable condition, except for two in the intensive care unit (ICU).

BMCRI on Sunday announced that 13 out of 14 hospitalised patients were discharged. The girls' hostel at BMCRI has been dealing with an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis (GE).

Overall, BMCRI has discharged 46 out of 47 patients affected by the outbreak.

Ramesh Krishna K., Dean and Director of BMCRI, stated, "In response to the outbreak, proactive measures have been implemented within the hostel premises. The kitchen facilities have been temporarily closed, with continuous disinfection procedures in progress. To ensure the students' well-being, food from the Victoria Hospital kitchen is being provided."

"Efforts are also underway to ensure clean drinking water by cleaning and servicing R.O. water tanks, and plans are in place to install three additional R.O. water filters. In the meantime, packaged water cans and dispensers have been provided to the students," he added.

However, Parents are urging their children to return home after the cholera outbreak. To avoid infection, some students are leaving the hostel with their belongings, while others are relocating to different hostels temporarily. Some are opting for online food delivery, while others are traveling out of the city or staying with relatives and friends.

The hostel management assures that the situation will be resolved within a week. However, due to a lack of drinking water and adequate food, students have decided to stay elsewhere until these issues are addressed.

Meanwhile, another cholera case has been reported in Bommanahalli, following a previous case in Malleswaram. The latest case involves a 35-year-old man, a driver by profession.