KATHMANDU:- The number of cholera and diarrhoea cases in Birgunj Metropolitan City has been steadily declining, with 746 patients, including 132 confirmed cholera cases, having fully recovered and returned home from hospitals, according to the city’s health department.

As of Sunday, a total of 172 cholera cases have been confirmed in the metropolis. However, new infections are decreasing significantly, with 15 cases reported on Sunday and 14 on Saturday compared to a higher number earlier in the week. The number of hospital admissions for diarrhoea has also dropped, with 58 patients admitted on Sunday, down from 88 on Saturday and 75 on Friday .

Currently, 68 patients are undergoing treatment across various hospitals in Birgunj, with 40 confirmed to have cholera . Among them, 36 are admitted at Narayani Hospital, 10 at National Medical College, 7 at Terai Hospital, 4 at Sarvottam Hospital, 3 each at Bhawani Hospital and Birgunj Healthcare, 2 at Prabhu Hospital, and 1 each at Advance, Birgunj Metro City, and Krishna Hospital. Fifteen patients are receiving intensive care in ICUs.

The health department has identified contaminated water and food as the primary causes of the outbreak. Dense settlements, open water sources, and inadequate sanitation have exacerbated the situation.

To control the spread, the metropolitan city, in coordination with federal and provincial governments, has intensified efforts, including deploying health workers to communities, launching awareness campaigns, chlorinating drinking water, and cleaning water tanks.

A complete ban has been imposed on street foods such as pani puri, chaat, and bhajia, and educational institutions have been closed until Tuesday.

Public Health Officer Suman Chandra Thakur noted the decline in cases as a positive development but stressed the need for sustained vigilance. Health experts emphasise that long-term control requires improvements in sanitation and infrastructure. The Birgunj Metropolitan City has urged residents to adopt health precautions and actively participate in community efforts to fully contain the outbreak.