Cholera outbreak in India: medical support and public health measures a priority, says ActionAid

New Delhi, 1 September 2007: A cholera outbreak has hit parts of Orissa, India in the wake of massive flooding, following South Asia's worst monsoon season in living memory.

Local sources have told ActionAid that nearly 250 people have died in Koraput, Rayagada and Kalahadi, more than double the official death toll of 115.

The provincial government has announced compensation of Rupees 10,000 (£120) to families of the dead.

Yet Bratindi Jenna, ActionAid's manager in Orissa said that concerns have been expressed that official figures are being kept deliberately low in order to minimise the amount of compensation. "If the government reveals the true figure, they would have to offer compensation to many more families."

In an effort to help local communities contain the epidemic, ActionAid has established mobile health camps in areas adjacent to those already affected. They have treated 3,500 from 30 villages. Of these, over 1,500 patients have been seen with symptoms of diarrhoea and gastroenteritis.

Oral rehydration salts and water purification tablets are being distributed, and cleansing teams of local volunteers sent to affected areas.

Don't blame tribal people

Those affected are mainly 'tribal' people; indigenous communities who suffer from widespread discrimination and official neglect

ActionAid has condemned local government officials who say that tribal people themselves are responsible for the cholera outbreak, blaming the scale of the epidemic on their drinking from unsafe water supplies.

"Diarrhoea and cholera outbreaks happen nearly every year in this region and on average about 50 people die annually. But lessons are not being learned," said Bratindi Jenna.

"There needs to be a shift in provincial culture of blaming the tribal way of life for disease outbreaks. The local administration should accept its responsibility for ensuring access to safe drinking water and public health facilities."

Every year rainwater sluices from hilltops, contaminating water sources, yet the authorities do little to contain what is a regular occurrence. Often tube wells are ineffective and public health is underfunded. Once cholera is in the open population, attempts at containing the disease are often half-hearted.

ActionAid's Emergencies and Conflicts Advisor in Asia, Dr Unnikrishnan PV said that the absence of safe drinking water, deplorable sanitation facilities and the contamination of drinking water sources will lead to more cases. "Government must ensure public health measures on an SOS basis," he said.

ActionAid is calling on the Orissa provincial government to: