Cholera

A cholera outbreak, which has resulted in over 20 deaths and many more hospitalised cases, has been reported in South Africa.

People are in a panic and the first signs of sickness has become a nightmare.

While we should endeavour to take the necessary precautions, let us always remember that health and sickness is only in the hands of Allah.

وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ

And He ˹alone˺ heals me when I am sick. [Ash Shu`araa 26: 80]

So, what is Cholera?

Cholera is a bacterial disease usually spread through contaminated water. Cholera causes severe diarrhoea and dehydration. Left untreated, cholera can be fatal within hours, even in previously healthy people.

Cholera is an infectious disease that causes severe watery diarrhoea, which can lead to dehydration and even death if untreated. It is caused by eating food or drinking water contaminated with a bacterium called Vibrio cholerae.

Modern sewage and water treatment have virtually eliminated cholera in industrialized countries. But cholera still exists in Africa, Southeast Asia and Haiti. The risk of a cholera epidemic is highest when poverty, war or natural disasters force people to live in crowded conditions without adequate sanitation. The disease is most common in places with poor sanitation, crowding, war, and famine.

Cholera is easily treated. Death from severe dehydration can be prevented with a simple and inexpensive rehydration solution.

Key facts

Most of those infected will have no or mild symptoms and can be successfully treated with oral rehydration solution.

A global strategy on cholera control, Ending Cholera: a global roadmap to 2030, with a target to reduce cholera deaths by 90% was launched in 2017.

Researchers have estimated that each year there are 1.3 to 4.0 million cases of cholera, and 21 000 to 143 000 deaths worldwide due to cholera (1)

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease that can kill within hours if left untreated.

Provision of safe water and sanitation is critical to prevent and control the transmission of cholera and other waterborne diseases.