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Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. A person can become infected by drinking contaminated water or eating food contaminated by the bacterium. Common sources of infection are raw or poorly cooked seafood, raw fruit and vegetables, and other foods that have been contaminated during preparation or storage.
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Expert Warns of Afghan Cholera Epidemic CRI
An outbreak of cholera killing at least 8 people in the Afghan is on the verge of turning into an epidemic. A senior epidemiologist has warned that an outbreak of cholera in the Afghan capital Kabul is on the verge of turning into an epidemic with at least eight people killed and more than 2,000 others feared infected. Despite the threat, the expert said the Afghan government was well equipped to deal with the crisis and had set up an emergency task force. Health officials in the war-shattered city of 4 million, where rubbish and sewage fill roadside ditches and water wells are polluted, claimed the threat had been contained. Nevertheless, dozens of tents were being pitched in hospital gardens to isolate patients should the number of cases spike. The disease has been detected in wells, the source of drinking water for most Kabul residents, and irrigation ditches. Cholera is an explosive disease. As soon as water sources are contaminated, it spreads. Cholera is a major killer in developing countries, where it is spread mainly through contaminated food or water. The bacterium attacks the intestine and causes severe diarrhea and dehydration. The last cholera outbreak in Kabul was in 2003, but it was minor and quickly addressed. In 2001, 114 people died from an outbreak in the country's north.
Expert Warns of Afghan Cholera Epidemic ABC News
Afghan officials confirm 30 cases of cholera Financial Times
Houston Chronicle - Guardian Unlimited - Minneapolis Star Tribune (subscription) - Xinhua - all 376 related »
Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It has a short incubation period, from less than one day to five days, and produces an enterotoxin that causes a copious, painless, watery diarrhoea that can quickly lead to severe dehydration and death if treatment is not promptly given. Vomiting also occurs in most patients.An outbreak of cholera killing at least 8 people in the Afghan is on the verge of turning into an epidemic. A senior epidemiologist has warned that an outbreak of cholera in the Afghan capital Kabul is on the verge of turning into an epidemic with at least eight people killed and more than 2,000 others feared infected. Despite the threat, the expert said the Afghan government was well equipped to deal with the crisis and had set up an emergency task force. Health officials in the war-shattered city of 4 million, where rubbish and sewage fill roadside ditches and water wells are polluted, claimed the threat had been contained. Nevertheless, dozens of tents were being pitched in hospital gardens to isolate patients should the number of cases spike. The disease has been detected in wells, the source of drinking water for most Kabul residents, and irrigation ditches. Cholera is an explosive disease. As soon as water sources are contaminated, it spreads. Cholera is a major killer in developing countries, where it is spread mainly through contaminated food or water. The bacterium attacks the intestine and causes severe diarrhea and dehydration. The last cholera outbreak in Kabul was in 2003, but it was minor and quickly addressed. In 2001, 114 people died from an outbreak in the country's north.
Expert Warns of Afghan Cholera Epidemic ABC News
Afghan officials confirm 30 cases of cholera Financial Times
Houston Chronicle - Guardian Unlimited - Minneapolis Star Tribune (subscription) - Xinhua - all 376 related »