Sudan’s health minister declares cholera epidemic: All you need to know. (Image credit: iStock)
Sudan health The minister has declared a anger The Ministry of Health has reported that a cholera epidemic has been declared following weeks of heavy rains. “We declared a cholera epidemic due to the weather conditions and the drinking water being contaminated,” Haitham Ibrahim said in a video released by the ministry. He added that the decision was taken in collaboration with authorities in the eastern state of Kassala, UN agencies and experts following the “discovery of the cholera virus by the public health laboratory.”
Cholera is a disease transmitted through contaminated water or food. It can cause severe diarrhoea and dehydration and, if left untreated, can be fatal. Thanks to modern sewage and wastewater treatment systems, cholera has been eliminated in industrialised countries, but it still exists in Africa, South-east Asia and Haiti. The risk of cholera is high in situations of poverty, war or natural disasters, when people are forced to live in crowded conditions.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are between 1.3 and 4.0 million cases of cholera and between 21,000 and 143,000 deaths worldwide each year due to this disease.
Symptoms of cholera
Cholera can cause mild to moderate diarrhea. Some of the most common symptoms of cholera infection are described below.
- DiarrheaCholera-related diarrhea can come on suddenly and cause rapid fluid loss.
- Nausea and vomitingVomiting occurs especially in the early stages of cholera and may last for hours.
- DehydrationDehydration can develop within hours of the onset of cholera symptoms and can range from mild to severe.
Irritability, fatigue, sunken eyes, dry mouth, extreme thirst, dry and wrinkled skin. Due to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance can occur which can lead to the following symptoms.
- Muscle crampsThis happens when there is a rapid loss of salts from the body.
- ShockThis is one of the most serious complications of dehydration. It occurs when low blood volume causes a drop in blood pressure and a decrease in the amount of oxygen in the body.
Ways to prevent cholera during monsoon
To prevent cholera, you can follow these steps:
- Avoid drinking tap water, water fountains, and ice cubes.
- Do not eat raw or undercooked seafood
- Drink water only after boiling or filtering it. Also, add chlorine tablets.
- Eat packaged foods or make sure your meals are freshly cooked and served hot.
- Wash fruits and vegetables with clean water.
- Make sure to wash your hands with soap and clean water, especially before handling and eating food and after using the bathroom. If soap and clean water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this post is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the post for any purpose.
We respect the intellectual property rights of content creators. If you are the owner of any material featured on our website and have concerns about its use, please contact us. We are committed to addressing any copyright issues promptly and will remove any material within 2 days of receiving a request from the rightful owner.