What could have stolen the peace of this neighborhood?
Everybody gathered with sullen faces and discussed in low tones. What was the problem?
Mr Sadaki was picked up lifeless from his bathroom floor. He had gone to work the previous day, came back around 4pm and shared a meal with some members of his family.
Everything appeared normal until he felt like easing himself and went to the restroom. At about 8 pm, he frequented the toilet but he felt he would be fine. The rest of the family went to bed. On one or two occasions, he opened the door. At least somebody noticed that he opened the toilet door. That was all.
This morning, his relative knocked on his room door and noticed he wasn’t there. Somebody went to the toilet and found him lying on the floor dead. He was taken to the hospital. The doctors confirmed him dead, suspecting he might have died of Cholera. That is why everybody is gathered.
Suddenly, there is a pandemonium in the next compound. What is the problem again?
A neighbor’s daughter was just rushed off to the hospital on account of watery stools and vomiting. Who knows what it could be?
It wasn’t long, news filtered in from the Health center. That happens to be another suspected case of Cholera!
A Cholera epidemic broke out in Ekureku community, Abi Local Government Area in Cross River State, South-South, Nigeria
in the second week of December 2022. By Monday, 19th December, 2022 the mortality figure had moved to 51 deaths, up from 20 deaths 3 days earlier.
OMG! What is this Cholera that has suddenly stolen our peace?
What is this Cholera that is a threat to life and that can kill people within a few hours?
HISTORY AND CAUSES
Cholera is an acute diarrhea infection that is linked to poor hygiene and poor availability of clean water.
In the 1900s, the first epidemic of Cholera started in Ganges reservoir in India and began to spread across the continent. Since then the epidemic of Cholera started happening in different parts of the world and has remained endemic in some. It became so bad that every case of diarrhea was reported. Mandatory reporting is no longer the case now, although these diseases are still monitored.
Cholera is caused by a bacterium called Vibrio Cholerae and there are two sub strains that are frequently responsible for causing this epidemic.
- O1 V. Cholerae. This has caused the recent outbreaks.
- O139 V. Cholerae. This was identified as the cause of outbreaks in the past.
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of Cholera are mostly mild but can be successfully treated with oral re-hydration solutions, but in rare cases will need intravenous fluids and antibiotics. People that have this bacteria will not show any symptoms within a period of 12 hours – 5 days. But anything can happen during this time frame; people could react differently. It could cause death within that period or they could show mild symptoms for others. Symptoms such as:
- Watery stools. This stool would have a clear white color (aka Rice water stools or having the same color as parboiled rice water). In such cases, one shouldn’t remain at home but visit a doctor as soon as possible. If it is possible, one should not allow himself to remain without help after a second watery stool.
- Severe dehydration
- Mild abdominal discomfort or pain
- Vomiting
PREVENTION
Cholera is an acute diarrhea disease that can kill within hours if not treated but the provision of safe and treated water is important to prevent the transmission of this bacterium.
In our previous post on Typhoid fever we discussed the dangers of an unhealthy environment, untreated water and contaminated foods.
With the flood disasters in the world today, especially in Nigeria, the need for prevention becomes paramount. Prevention can be achieved via the use of oral vaccines.
There are three available oral Cholera vaccines namely; Dukoral, Shanchol and Euvichol-plus which when taken in conjunction with improved environment, clean water and foods will heip control Cholera outbreak as well as enable prevention in areas known to be of high risk.
PROTECTING THE COMMUNITY
Considering that life goes on despite the presence of epidemics, measures must always be taken to protect the community. For instance, despite the break out described earlier, the Governor of Cross River State, Prof Ben Ayade, has flagged off the third Calabar Carnival, the annual festival of culture and fashion in the State capital.
We need to keep in view, the following:
There are 5 ways or things to do to prevent the spread of Cholera.
- Use only safe and treated water to drink, cook and clean.
- Wash your hands properly with soap and water before, during and after preparing a meal
- Use clean and proper toilets and also keep your environment clean
- Boil it, cook it, peel it or leave it. This is referring to your foods.
- Know where your doctors are.
We encourage active participation in community protection and personalized care.
