Cholera outbreak in Delhi--1988

Delhi experienced an outbreak of cholera during July-August 1988 which affected residents from all walks of life. A total of 1824 laboratory confirmed cholera cases were detected in two months period at I.D. Hospital, Delhi alone. The number of cholera cases in July-August 1988 was 5-10 times that of the same period during the previous years in the Capital. The outbreak was caused by Vibrio cholerae Ogawa biotype ElTor. Majority of the laboratory confirmed cases (about 74 per cent) were seen in children under the age of 15 years. Though the cases were spread all over Delhi, almost three-fourths of total cases were reported from two specific zones (Shahdara and Civil Lines). Most of the isolates were sensitive to all antibiotics tested. The proportion of isolates resistant to furazolidone during this outbreak was substantially higher than in previous years suggesting that the outbreak may have been caused by the introduction of a new strain rather than proliferation of endemic strain. The salient features of the outbreak are discussed.