An Epidemic Outbreak of Vibrio cholerae El Tor O1biotype ogawa serotype in Thanjavur District, Tamilnadu, India

Background - Increased inflow of diarrhoea cases in a tertiary care hospital in Thanjavur on 27.02.2012. Aim - To identify the source, to study the causative agent, to institute control and preventive measures. Materials and methods - The stool samples from the patients admitted with diarrhoea were studied, the isolates were identified using standard procedures, antibiogram was done and serotyping was performed. The environmental source of outbreak was also investigated into and identified. Results - One hundred and fifty four cases were reported during February27, 2012 to March 10, 2012. Out of 154 stool samples eighteen patients were found to be positive for Vibrio cholerae O1, biotype El Tor, serotype Ogawa, all the isolates being sensitive to Amikacin. The mean age of the patients was 43.3.Investigations showed the epidemic was waterborne the source being breakage of underground drainage pipes and water pipes leading to mix up in a slum locality situated in the outskirts of Thanjavur. Conclusion - The Vibrio cholerae O1 biotype El Tor serotype ogawa was isolated in this outbreak as in the other parts of the state, the causative agent of seventh pandemic. Isolates were uniformly resistant to Tetracycline and sensitivity was restricted to Amikacin alone. The water borne route of infection was confirmed by epidemiological investigations and the etiologic agent was also isolated. The importance of routine surveillance measures of water supplies, health education and implementation of sanitation hygiene practices among rural public is reemphasized by this outbreak.