BMCRI girls’ hostel GE outbreak: Two test positive for cholera

Cholera outbreak in BMCRI girls' hostel prompts swift action by authorities, including suspension of warden and hostel improvements.

Of the 47 medical students of Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) girls’ hostel, who had been admitted to Victoria Hospital with acute gastroenteritis (GE), two have tested positive for cholera, hospital authorities said.

Mohammed Mohsin, Principal Secretary, Medical Education, who visited the hospital and inspected the girls hostel, said the condition of the students is stable.

“While 21 students have been discharged, the reports of stool samples of the remaining students that were sent for culture and sensitivity test are awaited,” Mr. Mohsin told The Hindu.

Pointing out that they are being treated with antibiotics and IV fluids, he said the BBMP has been informed about the cases as cholera is a notifiable disease. “Of the 700 students in the BMCRI girls’ hostel, only 47 developed symptoms. The water samples from the girls’ hostel have tested negative for cholera,” he said.

He said he has directed the BMCRI Dean to place the girls’ hostel warden Akhilandeshwari under suspension immediately. “The food inspector has been instructed to visit all the kitchens in BMCRI and attached hospitals and recommend food hygiene, if it is not being maintained,” he said.

“The housekeeping agency M/s. Detectwell has been instructed to regularly clean all the floors, kitchens, and toilets of the hostel on a shift basis. Also, manual attendance in the girls’ hostel will be stopped immediately and biometric attendance will be started,” he said.

“The Dean informed that neither the warden nor the students of the girls’ hostel had brought to his notice regarding the poor sanitation and unhygienic conditions in the hostel. There is a gross shortage of hostel facilities for the BMCRI students, as the number of students has increased and BMCRI is also accommodating students from Government Dental College and Research Institute. There is a proposal to construct an additional hostel on Palace Road in Gandhinagar at an approximate cost of ₹65 crore,” he said.