U.N. reports cholera outbreak in northern Iraq

Kristyn Phillips

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/08/29/iraq.cholera/

There are over 2,000 reported cases of cholera in northern Iraq. Cholera is an ailment that affects the intestinal tract. Severe symptoms of the disease are watery diarrhea, vomitting, and leg cramps. In these cases people lose fluids quickly leading to dehydration and shock. If left untreated death can occur within hours. The disease is contracted by eating food or drinking water infected with the bacteria. In Iraq they are having problems with water quality and sewage treatment. They believe that this is the cause of the outbreak. Within the last two days there have been five deaths and 500 patients admitted to the hospital with severe diarrhea. Forty-seven cases are said to be epidemic cholera and that number is expected to grow. Only about thiry percent of the population has adequate water supply.

There are many countries that suffer from outbreaks such as this because of poor living conditions. It is a terrible situation especially for children because they are at a higher risk of getting the disease since their bodies are not as strong as adults. I have always been concerned with these countries that suffer with poor living conditions. I want to help and give them an oppotunity to live a life where they are not threatened by fatal diseases without treatment. I especially want to help the children because they have the potential to have a bright future.