What is cholera, and why is it a big deal?
Cholera is a bacteria that can cause really horrible diarrhea that may lead to dehydration and death. Cholera is most commonly transmitted via contaminated water, and sometimes through contaminated food.
Though around 75-90% of people can show mild symptoms, 10-25% of people have extreme, watery diarrhea. The diarrhea can be so bad that it can cause dehydration and, ultimately, death. The main treatment is ensuring that the infected person gets plenty of water to replace the fluids lost due to diarrhea. Antibiotics can be given if someone is extremely sick, malnourished, or pregnant. There is a vaccination available to prevent and reduce disease.
Why is cholera a major global health issue?
While we don’t see cases of cholera much in the U.S. and other countries with easy access to clean water, it is a major cause of disease and death around the world. Around one billion people are thought to be at risk. You might have heard about the cholera outbreaks in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and in Haiti. In Haiti, nearly 50 people have died this year due to cholera. Sudan is in the midst of a civil war. Thousands of people have been displaced from their homes, and many healthcare facilities aren’t operational. In the DRC, armed conflict has also caused mass displacement. Alongside flooding, this has created a perfect environment for cholera outbreaks. Flooding can cause an increase in stagnant water, water that is just sitting still. Stagnant water makes it easy for bacteria to multiply. Natural disasters can also wipe out sanitation structures, leading to less clean water. In situations where there isn’t access to clean water, cholera deaths increase since people can’t safely replace the fluid they have lost due to diarrhea.
Without treatment, the death rate due to cholera can be as high as 50%. With treatment, like giving people fluids to ensure they aren’t dehydrated, that number drops to less than 1%.
Alongside sanitation efforts to ensure clean water, the World Health Organization, and groups like Doctors Without Borders, have launched mass vaccination campaigns in areas where cholera is a large problem. Oral vaccines have been great at helping prevent deaths due to cholera. Researchers at the Burnet Institute and the Vaccine Alliance have shown that cholera vaccination can reduce death by 36%. Another study showed that the oral vaccination helps protect against cholera for 36 months.
How to protect yourself while traveling
If you’re traveling to an area where cholera is common, getting a cholera vaccine before you travel will help protect you. When traveling, drink clean water to minimize the risk of cholera. If you get sick, ensure that you drink clean water in order to stay hydrated. There are water filters available that can help you keep water clean. Cholera can also be transmitted through contaminated food, so proper food sanitation techniques, such as washing hands before working with food, is an important step to reduce transmission.
Overall, cholera is a major global health issue, and sanitation efforts focusing on clean water, as well as vaccine campaigns, save lives.
You can support global health efforts through non-profits like:
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