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Government’s attention has been drawn to reports in a section of the Press that a viral storm is brewing in the Nicobar Island giving an impression that a wide-spread cholera epidemic is likely to occur. The press reports have been based on a report of the Regional Medical Research Center (ICMR) at Port Blair on an isolated incident of Vibrio cholerae, a common bacterial infection, which occurred in the Island more than two years ago in October-November, 2002. The report was published after detailed study in a scientific journal in May 2004. It is pertinent to mention that there has been no similar case after the October 2002 incident till date.
The Regional Medical Research Centre of ICMR in Port Blair which had conducted the earlier study has confirmed that till date no incident of similar nature has occurred again. It has also confirmed that there has been no unusual occurrence of diarrhea in Andaman as well as the Nicobar Islands following the 26th December Tsunami incident. The surveillance for early detection of any epidemic is in place.
As per WHO guidelines, mass vaccination against cholera is not advised since vaccination gives a false sense of security against the disease and diverts resources and manpower from more useful control activities.
Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry and the ICMR have dispatched teams of doctors to the Islands along with emergency medical supplies including chlorine tablets and bleaching powder to prevent an outbreak of any epidemic. A high-level medical team led by the Additional Director General of Health Services and Director National Institute of Communicable Diseases are in Port Blair overseeing the medical relief activities. The DGHS along with senior officers is leaving for Port Blair today to assess the situation.
The team of Central and State doctors are being strengthened by additional teams of medical experts from Delhi as the need arises. A total of 32 doctors including 6 public health specialists have been deployed by the Central Government to assist the state health specialists. In the 8 worst affected islands doctors have been deployed as follows Car Nicobar (district hospital):8,Little Andaman:2,NonCowry:2,Chowra :1,Terassa:1,Campel Bay (Great Nicobar):2.In Pilo Hills, Kondini the sub centre is manned by an ANM. The District Hospital in Car Nicobar has been operationalized and is functioning normally attending to the patients in the area.
In addition to the doctors, 20 staff nurses have been deputed from the Centre and deployed in the worst effected Islands. Ten paramedics are also assisting the Central Medical Teams. A Radiographer is being sent to Car Nicobar on the request of the Island Health Authorities.
The Centre has also dispatched drugs worth Rs. 40 lakhs including bleaching powder and chlorine tablets. The Island Authorities have also requisitioned for more medical items which are being dispatched. Besides, medicines such as Cephalexin, Suphamethaxazone, Roxid, Metrinidazole, patient stretchers, mosquito repellant and surgical items have also been dispatched to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands over the last few days.
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