BANGALORE: Eleven persons with gastroenteritis were admitted to Isolation hospital on Saturday, bringing the number of cases in the past week-and-a-half to 128. But, no cases of cholera have been confirmed.

C.R. Thyagaraja, Director of Isolation hospital, said the samples of 37 patients, admitted to the hospital over the past two days, had been sent to the Public Health Institute for tests.

However, preliminary tests done at the hospital indicated that it was not cholera, he said.

Gastroenteritis is the passage of loose stools more frequently than what is normal for that individual. It is most often caused due to an infection by bacteria such as E. coli and Vibrio cholerae or by certain viruses and parasites such as Giardia. Symptoms of this condition include nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. Individuals with the illness are also likely to get dehydrated, which in turn may lead to light-headedness, weakness, confusion, kidney failure and even death.

Mr. Thyagaraja said the cases of gastroenteritis were not confined to a specific area but were sporadic. Cases were reported from over 20 parts of the city, including Kengeri, Sadanand Nagar, Old Byappanahalli, Akkipet, New Thippasandra and C.V. Raman Nagar.

He advised people against buying eatables sold by street vendors during the rainy season.

"After the showers, there is a good chance of water getting infected with bacteria or viruses. It is difficult to find out what water vendors use for cooking," he said. He suggested that people boil the water before drinking it.

Mr. Thyagaraja said people should wash the vegetables well during this season and also cook them well. Leftover food and that kept in the refrigerator for long should not be consumed, he added.

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