RxPG News Feed for RxPG News

Medical Research Health Special Topics World
  Home
 
   Health
 Aging
 Asian Health
 Events
 Fitness
 Food & Nutrition
 Happiness
 Men's Health
 Mental Health
 Occupational Health
 Parenting
 Public Health
 Sleep Hygiene
 Women's Health
 
   Healthcare
 Africa
 Australia
 Canada Healthcare
 China Healthcare
 India Healthcare
 New Zealand
 South Africa
 UK
 USA
 World Healthcare
 
   Latest Research
 Aging
 Alternative Medicine
 Anaethesia
 Biochemistry
 Biotechnology
 Cancer
 Cardiology
 Clinical Trials
 Cytology
 Dental
 Dermatology
 Embryology
 Endocrinology
 ENT
 Environment
 Epidemiology
 Gastroenterology
 Genetics
 Gynaecology
 Haematology
 Immunology
 Infectious Diseases
 Medicine
 Metabolism
 Microbiology
 Musculoskeletal
 Nephrology
 Neurosciences
 Obstetrics
 Ophthalmology
 Orthopedics
 Paediatrics
 Pathology
 Pharmacology
 Physiology
 Physiotherapy
 Psychiatry
 Radiology
 Rheumatology
 Sports Medicine
 Surgery
 Toxicology
 Urology
 
   Medical News
 Awards & Prizes
 Epidemics
  Avian Influenza
  Cholera
  Hemorrhagic Fevers
  Poliomyelitis
 Launch
 Opinion
 Professionals
 
   Special Topics
 Ethics
 Euthanasia
 Evolution
 Feature
 Odd Medical News
 Climate

Last Updated: Oct 11, 2012 - 10:22:56 PM
Cholera Channel

subscribe to Cholera newsletter
Medical News : Epidemics : Cholera

   EMAIL   |   PRINT
UNICEF alarmed by cholera outbreak in Sao Tome

May 12, 2005 - 5:44:00 PM
UNICEF has sent oral rehydration salts, other medication for the diarrhoeal disease and contributed to the deployment of outreach workers and to massive information and toilet-building campaigns.

 
[RxPG] In response to an outbreak of cholera, UNICEF has rushed medical supplies to Sao Tome, where nearly 80 per cent of the island’s total population is at risk to the deadly disease.

During the first 2 weeks of the outbreak, 74 acute cases were reported, coming mainly from the Bairro de Hospital and Ferreiro Governo wards in Agua Grande District, which hosts the nation’s capital. As of 9 May, 130 cases and 3 deaths have been officially reported. Most of the island’s population of an estimated 140,000 lives within 10 kms of the outbreak area.

UNICEF has provided nearly $53,000 worth of medication, oral re-hydration salts and other accessories and contributed to the deployment of outreach workers and to information campaigns to inform the public.

"We must not underestimate the extremely dangerous force of this disease," said UNICEF Representative Kristian Laubjerg, from Libreville in Gabon. "It is extremely urgent that we get clean water and safe toilet and sanitary facilities as quickly as possible to all affected communities to ensure against the death of children, who are especially vulnerable".

Cholera is spread through contaminated water and food, and severe, sudden outbreaks are usually caused by water supplies that have been contaminated. Fatality rates may be as high as 50 per cent if the community is unprepared and if treatment is given to late. Young children are particularly vulnerable to cholera, which causes diarrhea that can lead to severe dehydration and death.

UNICEF, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Development Program and districts officials, has mobilized community health teams to increase community awareness; implement community-based needs assessment missions; detect and prevent the spread of the outbreak and distribute potable water to affected neighborhoods. A massive media and communication campaign is also underway to scale up environmental sanitation efforts that include community based waste disposal and the building of toilets for improved household sanitation.

"We must contain this disease before it gets out of control," said Mr. Laubjerg.

Nearly 20 per cent of the population of Sao Tome has no access to safe drinking water; only nine per cent use safe toilet facilities. Diarrhoeal diseases have long been the principal cause of mortality among children under 5 years old, with an annual average of about 3,600 cases. However, government authorities have worked rapidly and transparently, together with city and town councils, to inform the nation of the outbreak and to take measures to halt the spread.



Publication: United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
On the web: www.unicef.org 

Advertise in this space for $10 per month. Contact us today.


Related Cholera News
UNICEF alarmed by cholera outbreak in Sao Tome
New Cholera Outbreak in Sao Tome
Diourbel worst hit by Cholera in Senegal
Cholera Epidemic in Senegal

Subscribe to Cholera Newsletter

Enter your email address:


 Feedback
For any corrections of factual information, to contact the editors or to send any medical news or health news press releases, use feedback form

Top of Page

 
Contact us

RxPG Online

Nerve

 

    Full Text RSS

© All rights reserved by RxPG Medical Solutions Private Limited (India)