Aizawl: The cholera situation in southern Mizoram has worsened, with four fresh deaths reported this week in Lawngtlai district, raising the total toll to 13 across Lawngtlai and neighbouring Siaha districts since November.
The latest fatalities have prompted district administrations to enforce strict restrictions, including the sealing of the international border with Myanmar.
Officials in Lawngtlai district said cholera claimed six lives in the district in November, and four more patients died recently at the Lairam Christian Medical Centre in Lawngtlai town. As of Wednesday, seven patients with cholera-like symptoms were undergoing treatment at the hospital.
Following two recent deaths and the hospitalisation of five others in Lawngtlai town, district magistrate Donny Lalruatsanga on Tuesday ordered the closure of all international entry points along the borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh.
He said that lthough laboratory confirmation is yet to be received, the symptoms closely resembled those seen during the outbreak in Kakichhuah village last month, where several people fell ill and later died.
Under the order, movement across international borders has been completely prohibited until further notice, and all forms of cross-border trade have also been suspended.
Siaha district additional DC Abraham Beirazi Khithie also issued an order late Tuesday evening, sealing the district’s international border with Myanmar after 4 persons, having cholera symptoms, were admitted to the Tipa community health centre.
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The suspected cases were reported from Lomasu, Lodaw, Lopu and Khaikhy villages. The district had reported at least three cholera deaths in November, though no fatalities have been recorded so far this month.
