Cholera is transmitted when people eat or drink something that contains a specific bacteria in it. This disease is a global threat and is often considered a symptom of few, if any social development resources, but it can strike anywhere at any time when unsanitary conditions are present.
1. Deadly In Hours
There are two primary strains of Cholera that are problematic to human health, designated O1 and O139. This acute infection affects the body immediately and causes rapid and painful diarrhea. If left untreated, the body can become immediately dehydrated and death can happen in the span of just a few hours.
2. Most Cases Are Treatable
A combination of antibiotics and rehydration sales is often enough to help most people overcome Cholera when it strikes. When severe dehydration occurs, IV fluids must often be used to replenish fluids and give someone a fighting chance for survival.
3. It May Not Cause Symptoms
3 out of 4 people who become infected with Cholera don’t have any symptoms of the bacteria infection. For the ones that do develop the problematic diarrhea, about 80% of them do not have severe symptoms, so treatment is often not sought. This means the infection point, the contaminated food or water, is left untreated so that others may become exposed.
4. It Is 100% Preventable
Cholera is believed to kill more than 100,000 people every year. More than 5 million people around the world are suspected to contract this disease every year. The problem with this is that Cholera is a 100% preventable disease. With safe water and proper sanitation, cases are dramatically diminished and the ones that do exist are much less likely to be fatal.
5. Vaccines Are Available
The World Health Organization has prequalified two different vaccines to treat nations that struggle with Cholera. Although these vaccines are only around 50% effective for up to two years, it is still a higher form of protection than most developing areas have at any given time.
Cholera vaccines are not required for border entry into any nation. Although quarantines for this disease are not necessary, control measures must be implemented when it is discovered so that the bacteria does not spread. That means removing diseased food and preventing contaminated water access so that proper safety can be achieved.
