This week, the UN has announced that there is a cholera outbreak in a Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya and one person has already died from the infection. The UNHCR, a UN agency, has found 30 infected persons in this refugee complex that is home to 500,000 Somalia refugees. It is believed that the cholera was spread on the way to the camps, and the recent heavy rains have been thought to contribute to the spread of cholera since it is spread through the water. There have been steps taken to treat the disease, with treatment centers set up around the camp to treat those infected. Also, there has been an increase in the level of chlorine in the water in the camp in order to kill the bacteria that causes cholera as well as stressing the importance of hygiene by distributing soap to the refugees. However, tensions increased between the Kenya and Somalia border which caused aid to be slowed. Refugees continue to come into Ethiopia in smaller numbers, but they have been found to have “extremely poor health”.
Refugees that have fled their country of origin for fear of conflict, famine, and lack of food are now being confronted with the threat of cholera. This shows that there are more risks for refugees than just being able to stay in the country that they come to, as well as their lack of knowledge about hygiene has increased their risk. It demonstrates that there are health problems that go along with refugees that immigrate to other countries with this latest report on a cholera outbreak.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2011/nov/17/cholera-outbreak-dadaab-refugee-complex?INTCMP=SRCH
3 comments:
After working in Emergency Medicine, I know how much of a problem Cholera is in regions like this. With so many people in a small space, Cholera is a rapidly replacing bacteria that can contaminate water very fast. This disease could potentially devastate the refugee camps and cause a major problem for medical experts.
Bacteria spreads so easily. I hope that they are able to help these people so the Cholera does not spread any farther than it already has. Thankfully there are people there to aid them to health.
That's crazy. I remember learning about cholera in middle school. This will definitely begin to kill all of them if not stopped. Refugees leave their country for safety and it's sad they got struck with cholera
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