Published Date: 2005-03-18 23:50:00
Subject: PRO/EDR> Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2005 (10)
Archive Number: 20050318.0789
CHOLERA, DIARRHEA & DYSENTERY UPDATE 2005 (10)
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A ProMED-mail post
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ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
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In these updates:
Africa
[1] Cholera - Equatorial Guinea (Malabo, Bata)
[2] Cholera, possible - South Africa (Eastern Cape)
[3] Cholera - Worldwide - WHO WER Notifications
[Request for information: Imported cholera cases (2) have been reported in
Australia during Mar 2005. ProMED would appreciate information from
authoritative sources on the serotype and country of presumed origin of
infection. - Mod.LL]
*****
[1] Cholera - Equatorial Guinea (Malabo, Bata)
Date: Sun, 13 Mar 2005
From: ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
Source: XinHuaNet.com [edited]
<http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-03/14/content_2694012.htm>
The number of cases of cholera in Equatorial Guinea has risen to 4400, with
30 deaths since the disease broke out in the country in Feb 2005, reports
reaching here said Sun, 13 Mar 2005. Most cases were reported in Malabo,
the capital city, and Bata, the economic center.
An Israeli group of doctors have arrived to give medical help. The
government has taken precautionary measures all over the country to contain
the epidemic from spreading further. Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya and other
African countries have also been hit by cholera in recent months. Thousands
of cases have been reported with more than 100 deaths.
******
[2] Cholera - South Africa (Eastern Cape): suspected
Date: Sun, 13 Mar 2005
From: ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
Source: News24.com [edited]
<http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_1675724,00.html>
Cholera scare in Eastern Cape
-----------------------
A possible outbreak of cholera has led the Eastern Cape health department
to step up the provision of clean water and sanitation. The death of 2
infants and an outbreak of diarrhea in Nogaya village in Qumbu has forced
the Eastern Cape's department of health to step in and deal with issues of
sanitation, lack of clean water and poor diets.
"We don't want to say it is cholera, but the possibility is there," said
departmental spokesperson, Sizwe Kupelo, on Sun, 13 Mar 2005. Residents
relieved themselves in the bushes which washes into the river when it
rained, then they used that water for drinking and washing.
Upon receiving reports on Saturday that 7 children between the ages of 3
and 8 were suffering from mild diarrhea, the health department dispatched
officials and 4 ambulances to the village. While the cases of diarrhea were
mild, one child was found to be passing blood. They also discovered that 2
babies had died during the last week.
"The department discovered a lack of clean water and sanitation in this
village as well as poor diets," said Kupelo. He said while it was not the
function of the health department to intervene in cases like this, "we are
stepping in because we don't want people to die".
The department would send water tanks and portable toilets to the
village. "We have summoned health environmental officials to test samples
of food and water," said Kupelo.
There are many villages in the Transkei without water and sanitation and,
according to Kupelo, they had been battling outbreaks of cholera over the
past year. The health department has embarked on an awareness campaign to
teach people about proper hygiene and give advice such as boiling water
before drinking it to rid it of germs.
******
[3] Cholera - Worldwide: WHO WER Notifications
Date: Fri, 18 Mar 2005
From: Marianne Hopp <mjhopp12@yahoo.com>
Source: WHO Epidemiological Record, 18 Mar 2005 [edited]
<http://www.who.int/wer/2005/wer8011/en>
Notifications of cholera received from 11 to 17 Mar 2005
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country / dates / cases / deaths
Africa
Equatorial Guinea 28 Feb-6 Mar 2005/1 360/4
Kenya 1 Dec 2004-8 Mar 2005/ 470/17
Oceania
Australia 15 Mar 2005/2(i)/-
--
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
See Also
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2005 (09) 20050311.0714Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2005 (08) 20050304.0662
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2005 (07) 20050225.0598
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2005 (06) 20050215.0512
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2005 (05) 20050204.0384
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2005 (04) 20050128.0308
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2005 (03) 20050123.0240
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2005 (02) 20050119.0174
Cholera, diarrhea & dysentery update 2005 (01) 20050108.0060
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