Twelve people in Kathmandu Valley are confirmed to have contracted cholera, according to the Department of Health Services (DHS).  DHS Director-General Dr Dipendra Raman Singh shared the information during Monday’s meeting of the Education and Health Committee under the House of Representatives.

Of the infected, eight have been discharged from the Teku based Sukraraj Hospital after recovery, whereas four are still receiving treatment.

The first two cases of the infectious disease in the Valley were reported on June 19. Since then the number has grown to 12.

Meanwhile, authorities inspecting water resources in order to control the spread of the cholera have found E-coli and other germs in water at various places of the Kathmandu Valley.

According to Dr. Chuman Lal Das, director at Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD), under the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), E-coli and Coliform bacteria was found in four places – Bagbazar, Dillibazar, Budhanilkantha and Sanepa to be specific.

Water from various sources were inspected which include tap water, water jars, and tanker supplied water. Health experts and different tiers of government, fearing an outbreak are urging valley residents to be vigilant. On Sunday, Kathmandu’s mayor Balendra Shah (Balen) had appealed to residents to only drink boiled water. KMC office has also launched a 24-hour hotline telephone service to address concerns of the Kathmandu dwellers about cholera.

Residents of Kathmandu can dial 1180 to get information and services in case of any problem pertaining to cholera.