NewsDesk @bactiman63

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a significant increase in cholera cases in Sindh province.

Image/CIA

Between January 15 to May 27, 234 laboratory confirmed cases were reported in the province. In addition, Balochistan and Punjab provinces have also reported 31 and 25 confirmed cases of cholera, respectively, for a total of 290 cases.

Half the cases were reported in children under the age of nine. No deaths have been reported.

As of 27 May, a total of 109 samples have been tested from the public water sources (hydrants) and individual households in Karachi city, Sindh province. Among these, results are available for 71 samples, of which 70% have shown presence of Vibrio cholerae while Escherichia Coli and coliform was detected in 55% and 90% of samples, respectively.

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Cholera is an acute enteric infection caused by ingesting the bacteria Vibrio cholerae present in contaminated water or food. It is mainly linked to insufficient access to safe drinking water and inadequate sanitation. It is an extremely virulent disease that can cause severe acute watery diarrhoea resulting in high morbidity and mortality, and can spread rapidly, depending on the frequency of exposure, the exposed population and the setting. Cholera affects both children and adults and can be fatal if untreated.