Nigeria : Cholera epidemic - Far from being over

An article published at Daily Sun, the cholera epidemic continues :

" When Abdul Hazzan (not real name) woke up in an unfamiliar room with streaks of sunlight seeping in through decrepit blinds, he became aware of painful moans from other people around him. The strong smell of disinfectants made the father of three realize he was in a hospital.

Abdul was diagnosed with cholera and as he drew in his first conscious breaths in 24 hours, he was jolted by the sight of intravenous fluids sticking from his left hand. Readjusting his position on the lumpy bed was a huge task due to dehydration and numbness of his limbs by the disease.

Abdul was rattled from his sleep in the middle of the night by stomach cramps. In less than 30 minutes, his body was taken over by violent waves of simultaneous vomiting and diarrhoea and he gradually slipped into unconsciousness. This was how he landed in the hospital.

Hundreds of people like him are either dead or lying critically ill in various hospitals scattered across 11 states of the federation. Like a gale of wind, cholera epidemic swept through the country, leaving in its path alarming death rate and hollowed eyed victims clinging weakly to life.

Cholera is a disease caused by a bacterium known medically as Vibro Cholerae. It can be found in human and animal waste. It becomes a disease when the pathogen finds its way into food and water meant for human consumption. Cholera mainly affects the digestive system and can be contagiously spread from infected persons through unhealthy environment and inadequate ventilation. The main symptoms are high fever, diarrhoea (profuse watery stool) and vomiting that lead to dehydration or death.

Cholera can be very fatal if not well treated on time. Children and the aged are more susceptible to death from disease. The recent cholera outbreak witnessed in Nigeria can be described as an epidemic of monumental proportion. So far, the death toll recorded in 11 states has been put at about 352, while the number of those infected has risen to 6, 437."