News Excerpt:

Recently, India sent medical and material assistance to Zambia as the southern African country deals with a deadly cholera outbreak.

About the outbreak and India’s aid 

• According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the outbreak began in the Zambian capital region and by early January 2024 had killed around 333 people
• India’s aid consists of 3.5 tonnes of water purification supplies, chlorine tablets and ORS sachets
• The last major cholera outbreak in Zambia was in 2017-18, claiming 114 lives. 
• Given the close relations between Zambia and its neighbours Malawi and Zimbabwe, there are possibilities that the disease could spread deep inside these two countries if left unchecked.

About Cholera disease

• Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. 
• Cholera remains a global threat to public health and an indicator of inequity and lack of social development.
• 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 .
• Symptoms:
  • Cholera is an extremely virulent disease transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food or water.
  • Cholera can cause severe acute watery diarrhoea and the severe forms of the disease can kill within hours if left untreated.

• Treatment

• • Cholera is an easily treatable disease. The majority of people can be treated successfully through prompt administration of oral rehydration solution (ORS)
  • Community engagement

• • • Community engagement means that people and communities are part of the process of developing and implementing programmes. 
    • Local culture, practices and beliefs are central to promoting actions such as good hygiene practices including handwashing with soap, safe preparation and storage of food and safe disposal of the faeces of children.
  • Severe cases need rapid treatment with intravenous fluids and antibiotics.
  • Provision of safe water and basic sanitation, and hygiene practices is critical to prevent and control the transmission of cholera and other waterborne diseases.
  • Most of those infected have no or mild symptoms and can be successfully treated with oral rehydration solution.

• Steps taken to eradicate Cholera:

• • 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.
  • Currently there are 3 WHO pre-qualified oral cholera vaccines (OCV): Dukoral, Shanchol, and Euvichol-Plus. 

• Prevention and control

• A multifaceted approach is key to control cholera, and to reduce deaths. 
• A combination of surveillance, water, sanitation and hygiene, social mobilization, treatment, and oral cholera vaccines are used.