Pani Puri Banned In Nepal- Here's Why!

There are 2 things that make India great- cultural diversity, and lip-smacking street food. Pani Puri or Golgappa are synonymous with Indian street food.  The crunchiness of the gol gappa, the tanginess of the potato filling, and the spicy flavors of the water make gol gappas an irreplaceable street food amongst the people across the globe. However, our neighboring country Nepal, has banned pani puri in the metropolitan city of the Kathmandu valley. 

Why Did Nepal Ban Pani-Puri?

Over the last few days it has been observed that there has been a sudden increase in the number of cholera cases as around 12 people have already tested positive for the infection. To add to this, it was stated by the officials of The Lalitpur Metropolitan City (LMC), they claimed that the water used in the pani-puri was responsible for spreading the infection. 

As per the municipal police chief, internal preparations have already been made to stop the spread of the cholera infection amongst the masses, which includes the ban of the sale of pani-puri in the Kathmandu valley.

As the monsoon season has already set in, it is very important to look after your personal hygiene. Even the Healthy Ministry of Kathmandu requested the people to stay alert and vigilant given the fact that the monsoon season has already started. 

Now let’s try to understand a little more about the Cholera infection, its symptoms and treatment options. 

What is Cholera?

Cholera can be defined as an acute diarrhea infection caused by the infection of the Vibrio Cholerae Bacteria. Cholera is caused when people consume contaminated food or water that has been infected with the cholera bacterium. 

Symptoms of Cholera

Listed below are the symptoms you need to look out for if you are suffering from cholera-

• Thirst.
• Vomiting. 
• Watery Diarrhea.
• Restlessness.
• Leg Cramps.

This is particularly for the doctors treating patients with watery diarrhea, in case the patient suffers from dehydration look for the following signs-

• Rapid heart rate.
• Loss of skin elasticity.
• Dry mucous membranes.
• Low blood pressure. 

If the cholera symptoms are taken lightly by the people, then it can lead to severe dehydration which can result in kidney failure. Moreover, if it is left untreated for several hours, severe dehydration can lead to shock, coma, and death. 

Causes of Cholera

As already mentioned above, cholera is a water-borne disease and it can occur due to the consumption of contaminated food and water. But, the infection causing bacteria can be found in the following things-

1. Surface or the Well Water- Public wells that are contaminated can lead to the outbreak of cholera infection. To add to this, people living in overcrowded conditions with inadequate sanitation can also lead to the outbreak of cholera. 
2. Raw Fruits and Vegetables- Not many people know that even raw, unpeeled fruits and vegetables can be the potential source of the cholera infection. 
3. Grains- Regions or the places where there is a massive outbreak of the cholera infection, various grains such as millet, and rice can easily get contaminated after cooking. 

These are the 3 primary causes that can trigger the onset of the cholera infection in people. 

Available Treatment Options 

If you are suffering from cholera, make sure that you seek immediate medical assistance or else delayed treatment can be fatal. However, we have curated a list of possible treatment options for the same-

1. Rehydration Therapy- The overall aim of the rehydration therapy is to make up for the lost fluids and salts using a simple rehydration solution. You can easily purchase an ORS solution from the pharmacy, boil that in water and have it. 
2. Antibiotics- Another course of treatment for curing the cholera infection is giving antibiotics. To add to this, some of the antibiotics can reduce the course of the diarrhea and shorten its length for people who are severely ill. 
3. Zinc Supplements- As per various research studies, zinc has proven to be helpful in decreasing diarrhea and shortening the course of the infection in kids. 
4. Intravenous Fluids- Though, ORS can help people suffering from cholera but for the ones who are facing severe dehydration, intravenous fluids are a must. 

Wrapping Up

As rightly said, prevention is better than cure, so make sure that you seek medical assistance on time and do not ignore any symptom.  Everyone loves street food, so make sure that you follow all the necessary hygiene protocols for the same. As a conscious human being, make sure that your surrounding areas are clean and tidy. Furthermore, make sure that you boil your water and then consume it. 
Everyone loves gol gappas, so make sure that you eat it from the right and the hygienic place and do keep a tab on the fact that the person is wearing gloves while serving you. 

Be Vigilant! Be Alert!