FEATURES | 13 & ENTERTAINMENT
Cholera
in the Modern Era JOSHUA P. FERNANDEZ
S Graphics by Bryan Albay
to shock, coma, and even death within hours. The threatening comeback. “A fire that is just going to keep getting bigger,” Dr. Philippe Barboza who leads the WHO’s cholera response emphasized in a New York Times interview that the current situation is very concerning and very worrying. Factors that triggered cholera outbreak this year include flooding caused by climate change, inadequate sanitation and insufficient safe drinking water, and displacement due to wars in some countries. Cholera and COVID-19. Although two different diseases, cholera and COVID19 have something in common. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced lockdowns and travel bans, cholera cases have also decreased - as limitations to human interaction and attention to personal hygiene were observed. Now as the world is shifting to the new normal, cholera has taken its revenge with multiple outbreaks around the world.
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ince its first emergence in 1817, seven subsequent cholera pandemics had already plagued the world and killed millions of people across all borders. Recently, cholera has taken yet another blow to humanity. World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, said that 29 cholera outbreaks have been reported worldwide as of November 2022 - the highest number on record. In the Philippines this year, cholera cases have increased by 270 percent with 3,980 cases from January 1 to October 8. Cholera defined. Cholera, according to the World Health Organization, is an acute diarrheal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. People can get sick when they consume food or water contaminated with cholera bacteria. Although cholera infection is mostly mild or without symptoms, some cases can be severe and life-threatening. People with severe cholera can develop extreme dehydration, which can lead to kidney failure. If left untreated, this extreme dehydration can lead Efforts to end cholera. Opportunities beyond. Like COVID-19, more and more people are putting Like the COVID-19 pandemic, cholera doesn’t end an effort to mitigate the adverse impact brought about overnight. It has its own pace, its own set of rules, and society by cholera. The Global Task Force on Cholera Control must adjust to it, for better or for worse. The emergence of (GTFCC) has made a global roadmap with goals of ending cholera outbreak depends on how we manage to overcome cholera by 2030. GTFCC also launched the Cholera it, how prevention and control can put an end to its Roadmap Research Agenda in 2021 that represents the devastating outcome. collective vision of 177 global cholera experts and other Cholera remains a global threat to public stakeholders to identify the highest-priority research health, as well as an indicator of inequity and lack of social questions. development in poor and underdeveloped countries. From The prevention of cholera can be achieved at this, governments worldwide must put extra effort and longthe most basic level - personal hygiene. Access to clean term measures for cholera to finally meet its end. As cholera water and proper sanitation, as well as Oral Cholera continues to affect more communities, opportunities have Vaccines, can help to alleviate the dangers of a cholera risen to work with other global authorities to improve outbreak. In communities, basic hygiene behaviors should detection and to mobilize resources. Ultimately, these be met. These include the need to always sanitize hands communities will be equipped with better knowledge and with soap after defecation and before handling food or infrastructure to act against cholera, once and for all. eating, as well as preparation and conservation of food.
Comics by Pauline Joyce Quiamco