Prevent New Cholera Outbreak, UNICEF Warns West Africa

The United Nations Children's Fund on Tuesday alerted western African governments on the need to prevent a new cholera outbreak, after the disease claimed nearly 3,000 lives there last year.

Unicef's regional bureau said that "at least 105,248 cases of cholera were registered in 17 countries in 2011, and 2,898 people died" in what was one of the most severe outbreaks of the disease in years.

About Cholera
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine and is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

"The region is now in the inter-season which means that the number of cases is close to zero in most affected countries," it said.

But the UN agency warned that governments should be prepared "to minimize risks for the next season which, in West and Central Africa, is projected to start in April 2012".

It said it was particularly concerned the disease could hit the Sahel zone, where many people are already weakened by a nutrition crisis.

About Water Borne Diseases
Waterborne diseases are communicable diseases caused by diseases causing microorganisms in contaminated water. It is more prevalent during floods and in tsunami affected areas.

Source-AFP

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Antibiotics may be Beneficial in Moderate Cholera
In contrast to the WHO recommendations, some researchers advocate the use of antibiotics in moderate as well as severe cases of cholera.