Cholera outbreak kills 84 in Guinea-Bissau
A cholera outbreak has killed 84 people in Guinea-Bissau since the middle of June and infected more than 5,000 others, the health ministry said.
The waterborne disease, which can quickly cause severe dehydration and death, is a recurring problem in West Africa, particularly during periods of heavy rain.
“There have been 5,333 registered cases, including 84 deaths,” the health ministry said in a statement late on Monday.
Cholera Definition
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It results in profuse, watery diarrhea.
The capital Bissau is the worst hit, where more than 4,000 people have been infected and 29 people have died since the outbreak started on June 11.
Guinea-Bissau has received medical supplies from the former colonial power Portugal to fight the outbreak as well as $100,000 from China.
Cholera Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Cholera is an acute illness characterized by watery diarrhea. The toxin released by the bacteria causes increased secretion of water and chloride ions in the intestine, which can produce massive diarrhea. Death can result from the severe dehydration brought on by the diarrhea.
Cholera occurs in epidemics when conditions of poor sanitation, crowding, war, and famine are present. Endemic areas include India, Asia, Africa, the Mediterranean, and more recently, South and Central America, and Mexico. The infection is acquired by ingesting contaminated food or water.
A type of Vibrio bacteria also has been associated with shellfish, especially raw oysters. Risk factors include residence or travel in endemic areas and exposure to contaminated or untreated drinking water.
Revision date: June 20, 2011
Last revised: by Andrew G. Epstein, M.D.