Cholera : Disease of Disaster

A Brief Beginning

Cholera is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Vibro Cholerae. This disease is a serious disease which can kill the victim in less than 6 hours if not treated. Some symptoms of this disease include: severe vomiting, diarrhea, leg cramps and dehydration. Approximately 1 out of 20 people have suffered through the symptoms of this deadly disease. If Cholera is not treated, fatal rate can be up to 50%. However, if treated, it can be up to 1% only.

How cholera spreads?

Cholera is very contagious. This disease spreads by drinking or eating contaminated food, infected by feces unintentionally. Some people have also have been affected by this disease by eating raw and uncooked shellfish, unpeeled fruits and vegetables and other sea creatures. Cholera usually affects people living in areas that do not have a proper sewage system and live in poor hygienic conditions because of poverty and lack of other resources like in refugee camps etc. Cholera affects those people because most of them living in such these areas do not know about how this disease spreads, simply don’t have access to any treatment, or are too poor to afford clean, sanitized food and water.

Where Cholera is not common?

Cholera is not common in developed countries such as Canada and U.S. because of the availability of medical treatment, regulated health standards, and clean water and effective sewage systems. However, there have been very few cases of cholera occurring in these countries. The cases are the result of travelers who have eaten infected raw shellfish or have spread the disease through human to human contact. Cholera is mostly found in tropical countries where water supplies, sanitation and food safety are poor. The greatest risks of this disease are in overpopulated countries and refugee settings.

Vaccine and Treatment

There are only two vaccines available for this disease. Unfortunately, these vaccines have a limited amount of protection and are very, very expensive. The World Health Organization doesn’t recommend taking these vaccines. Oral treatment for cholera is most effective. Cholera can be simply and successful treated by immediately replacing the fluids and salts lost from the victim‘s body through diarrhea. Patients can also be treated with the oral rehydration solution which is a prepackaged mixture of sugar and salt to be mixed with water and drinking in large amounts. This solution is used around the world to treat diarrhea. In serious conditions, an antibiotic can also be used to reduce diarrhea.

Symptoms

Symptoms of this disease include: severe vomiting, diarrhea, leg cramps and dehydration. Approximately 1 out of 20 people have suffered through the symptoms of this deadly disease. The most dangerous symptom is diarrhea because it releases important fluids and salts from your body.

Where is it currently a problem?

Cholera is currently a problem in countries which include Zimbabwe, Iraq, Africa and Afghanistan. In Zimbabwe, it is spreading uncontrolled still causing 1550 daily new cases of cholera. Total 43500 cases of cholera have been reported so far with a death toll of 2250 cases out of that.

This serious situation in Zimbabwe started in August 2008 when the economic collapse of Zimbabwe crumbled the whole infra-structure leaving the people without clean drinking water, sanitized food and prompt medical help. Cholera is currently a problem in areas where there is bad sanitary conditions due to poverty. These places include: Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, places in Iraq and Africa.

The World Health Organization which controls such type of deadly diseases is monitoring closely the situation. They have sent their trained team in the affected areas to control this situation. Also, the Red Cross, UNICEF and other organizations as well as local agencies are helping the affected people in the field.

Precautions for preventions

Although Cholera’s vaccines are not that much effective and only protect temporary basis, there are some precautions on how to prevent your self from getting this disease. Prevention is always better then cures. Some of the precautions are:

· boiling water before drinking or washing

· treating water with chlorine or iodine

· hand washing with soap and clean water, especially after going to the bathroom

Travelers should:

· make sure their food is cooked and hot

· peel their own fruits

· avoid raw vegetables and shellfish.

The four easy to remember words to remember when travelling are;

· BOIL IT,

· COOK IT,

· PEEL IT or

· LEAVE IT.

Environmental Issues

As research shows, Cholera outbreaks have been recorded around the world and increase in the death toll, in the affected rural areas is noticed. We are very lucky to be living in a developed country where we have sanitized food and water. However, those who are not lucky and are living in poor conditions where water and food don’t get sanitized properly are suffering. Nobody wants to live in an area with bad sanitization. We need to take actions as citizens of Canada and make lives better for those who suffer because of poverty. Some things we can do are:

· email or write a letter to the World Health Organization and tell them how you and your society feel

· talk about cholera and how it affects people to your family and relatives and tell them pass the message

· teach those who are less educated then you about what cholera is and how to prevent it

· make blogs on the internet and create discussions about different affects of cholera

· be happy for who you are and what you are getting and feel sorry for those who can’t be in your place