Zimbabwe cholera outbreak worsening

Shannon Bourret
February 17, 2009
11:47 PM

The article I read was about how the cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe is getting worse. The cabinet of Zimbabwe's unity government met for the very first time Tuesday. The outbreak in Zimbabwe is one of the largest in the world and it is only getting worse. At least 3,623 people have died and 76,127 people have been infected by cholera since August. It was reported that there was a new cholera patient every minute in Zimbabwe. The country’s sanitation system and garbage collection has made a drastic turn for the worse, becoming almost non existent. It is obvious that lack of access to clean water, burst and blocked sewage systems, and uncollected refuse overflowing in the streets are causing the outbreak. Cholera is contracted by "by drinking water or eating food contaminated with the cholera bacterium." The contamination is usually in the feces of the infected person. Many patients, unfortunately, cannot afford treatment.
This story absolutely amazes me. I am surprised to see that this disease is still around. I would have thought that with today’s medicine, cholera would have a cure by now. I understand that Zimbabwe does not have the medicine that more developed nations do but I think that if one country can wipe out a disease, other countries should be able to as well. I was also surprised when I saw the actual numbers! The fact that 3,623 people have died since August is so astonishing! I think the statistic that really got to me was there was a new cholera patient in Zimbabwe every minute. The article also said that some of those people infected did not even seek treatment because they already knew that they would not have enough money to pay for the medical bills. Therefore, if all of those infected with the disease went to seek medical treatment there would more that 1 new patient every minute. I am hoping that the cabinet of Zimbabwe’s unity government will be able to come up with a great plan of action and this outbreak can get under control.

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