Campaigns to combat cholera in Yemen

YemenExtra

SH.A.

An environmental campaign to combat carries of cholera started on Friday in Kholan, Jahana and al-Tayal districts of Sanaa province.

The campaign, which is implemented by Ministry of Water and Environment and the Environment Protection Authority’s branch in the province, targets the areas witnessing the spread of cholera epidemic.

Director of the Environment Protection Authority’s branch in Sanaa Dariss al-Nuaimi indicated that the spraying works were carried out in the districts of Hamdan and Bani Hushaish and would continue in Bani Shadad, Qarawi and Maswara areas and then in al-Hayma al-Kharejyah district.

As well as Ministry of Water and Environment in the National Salvation Government, in cooperation with UNICEF, on Friday launched an environmental campaign to combat choler carries in Hajjah province.

“This campaign comes within the ministry’s activities and programs to reduce the spread of cholera,” said Mohammed al-Wadei, undersecretary of the ministry of water and environment for environment sector.

Caused by a water-borne bacterial infection, cholera is transmitted through contaminated food or water, or through contact with fecal matter or vomit from infected people. A patient can lose up to 25 liters of fluid per day. Cholera can cause severe diarrhoea and vomiting, and rapidly prove fatal, within hours, if not treated.

But cholera is very simple to treat – most patients respond well to oral rehydration salts, which are easy to administer. In more serious cases, intravenous fluids are required. Ultimately, no-one should die of cholera but in Yemen hundreds do each year.