This article, which was published recently on February 18th, shares of a Cholera outbreak in Namibia, Africa. Namibia is located on the southwestern coast of Africa and it boarders the Atlantic Ocean. This outbreak has been specifically concentrated in Katutura, Namibia. Just this past month, fourteen cases of Cholera have been reported in the country, with one death also reported. The outbreak appears to have emerged due to lack of a proper sewage system and little to no access to clean drinking water because Cholera is normally spread through contaminated food and water. While there has been Cholera in northern Africa since 2013, the strain that was found in the south was identified as Inaba Cholera while the strain that was found in the north was identified as Ogawas Cholera. This indicates that there is no link between the cases and the disease has not been spread from the north to the south. Organizations like UNICEF and the World Health Organization attended a meeting led by the Mistry of Health and Social Services on the thirteenth of February in an attempt to contain and prevent the spread of Cholera as it is highly infectious and fatal if not properly treated. Fortunately, all those who have fallen victim to the disease are currently being treated at either Katutura Hospital or Windhoek Central Hospital.
This article clearly relates to our class' unit regarding Cholera. It reenforces the fact that while Cholera is an easily treatable disease, it is still prevalent throughout the world. While it may seem easy to cure in a place like the United States because we have the proper resources like clean water and antibiotics, it is not the same situation in impoverished countries like Namibia. It is not only important to treat this disease, but also to do so quickly, as symptoms of Cholera can appear within hours and can also be spread within that same time frame.
I think that this article is important because it is a reminder that not all of the world shares the same luxuries that we do here in the United States. While Cholera is easily treatable here, it can be fatal in places like Africa because they may not share the same resources. It is unfortunate that curable diseases remain deadly in some parts of the world, but it also is important to remember how lucky we are that we are able to protect ourselves from these diseases.
Read more at http://reliefweb.int/map/namibia/namibia-cholera-outbreak-katutura-and-opuwo-18-february-2014.
I think that this article is very informative on the cholera outbreak in Namibia. I was not aware of this recent outbreak. From the knowledge I have on cholera, I know that it can be easily treated if caught early and with the use of antibiotics. It is sad that this area does not have access to clean drinking water and a properly functioning sewage system. It would be great if workers from the U.S. could travel over to Namibia to help instill public health measures and a new sewage system. The one positive from this article is that people are being treated at either Katutura Hospital or Windhoek Central Hospital. I hope that cholera doesn't spread more throughout the area.
ReplyDeleteI did not know about this recent cholera outbreak but sadly, I am not shocked to hear that it is happening in Africa. As we all know, cholera is common in impoverished countries, like Namibia. It is really sad to think that the modern world is still struggling with this easily preventable disease. I agree with Kasey; public health workers from the US should really go into this region and others where there is a risk for cholera and help build better infrastructure. That way many preventable deaths can be avoided
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great article as it relates directly to our class.I agree with your statement that not all of the world has the same luxuries as the US and parts of Europe. As we read Mountains Beyond Mountains I have been thinking a lot about what global healthcare means. I think Dr.Farmer would take interest in this case because it is preventable and curable. Yet because global health is still nonexistent people are left vulnerable and unhealthy.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great article as it relates directly to our class.I agree with your statement that not all of the world has the same luxuries as the US and parts of Europe. As we read Mountains Beyond Mountains I have been thinking a lot about what global healthcare means. I think Dr.Farmer would take interest in this case because it is preventable and curable. Yet because global health is still nonexistent people are left vulnerable and unhealthy.
ReplyDeleteI think this is an interesting topic to learn about. Having studied the disease, I always enjoy learning more about cholera in our day in age. I think this makes the disease more real because learning about diseases from so long ago makes it seem like they are no longer a part of our lives.
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