MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'cholera'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:04:18 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5060634&cid=t_156796_46_f&fid=38787&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmsf.ca%2Fblogs%2Fphotos%2F2011%2F07%2F25%2Fcholera-in-dr-congo%2F Mbandaka, DR Congo – July 7, 2011 The plastic sheeting fence surrounding MSF’s CTC in Mbandaka has slits at regular intervals to slot it being blown down in strong gusts of wind. But these slits let curious passers-by look in to see what goes on inside the CTC. A cholera epidemic has spread more than 1,000km from Kisangani down the Congo river to the outskirts of Kinshasa, causing major outbreaks in several towns along the way including Bolobo in Bandundu Province and Mbandaka in Equateur Province where MSF’s Emergency Team (PUC – Pool d’Urgence Congo) has managed the medical aspects of the response. At the time of writing (18 July 2011) the CTC in Mbandaka is receiving around 20 patients a day and the PUC is evaluating the need for an emergency response in Ki... MSF Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5060634 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 10:10:07 +0100 5060634 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4909136&cid=t_156796_46_f&fid=38787&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmsf.ca%2Fblogs%2Fphotos%2F2011%2F06%2F07%2Fhaiti-22%2F Port au Prince – May 2011 The cholera epidemic in Haiti is far from over, with a sharp increase in cases seen in the capital, Port-au-Prince, and outbreaks reported elsewhere in the country. “Since May 29—in one week—MSF has treated almost 2,000 patients in the capital, and we have also been asked to intervene in other areas in the interior of the country,” said MSF head of mission, Romain Gitenet. “Workload should be shared and coordinated in order to increase cholera treatment capacity in Haiti. Too many public facilities are still inadequate.” (Source: MSF Blogs) MSF Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4909136 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:47:57 +0100 4909136 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4258798&cid=t_156796_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F12%2F13%2Fsunday-monday-news-round-up-way-overdue-edition%2F Some items that have caught my interest recently – I haven’t done one of these in a long time because of work and life and other ponderings about the best current use of the blog, but here are some news items, issues, and commentary of potential interest to readers, on women’s health, feminism, and miscellaneous topics: The CDC provides Consider Cholera: Information for U.S. Healthcare Professionals for clinicians who are asked to be on the lookout for U.S. cases, with info on diagnosis, treatment, and reporting. Aunt B has an excellent commentary in Self-Avowed Feminist, Gail Kerr, Has some Opinions about Emily Evans on the message sent when one female newspaper columnist attempts to trash a female councilperson using language like “shrill” and “class k... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4258798 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 01:12:21 +0100 4258798 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4195030&cid=t_156796_46_f&fid=38787&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmsf.ca%2Fblogs%2Fphotos%2F2010%2F11%2F22%2Fhaiti-19%2F Port-auPrince, Haiti – November 2010 Patients receive treatment for cholera in Sarthe, in the west of Port-au-Prince. The number of cases MSF has seen in the capital jumped from 350 during the first week of November to 2,250 during the second week. (Source: MSF Blogs) MSF Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4195030 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 08:59:39 +0100 4195030 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4179330&cid=t_156796_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D3710 As I walked back from lunch today, I passed an exhibit that advertised the UCL Haiti Development Project. It was good to see that somebody still cares. Now the dire problems of Haitians have got worse, At least 500 people have been killed by cholera. In stark contrast, I also had today another email form Kate Birch. She used to be vice-president of the North American Society of Homeopaths (NASH), though she now appears to be only a “registered teacher”. I wrote twice about Kate Birch in 2007 In August, Homeopathic “cures” for malaria: a wicked scam  and in October, A visit from Kate Birch. When I googled "Kate Birch" homeopathy I was surprised to see that these two posts came in 2nd and 1st position respectively. Since then, she has emailed me from time to t... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4179330 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 21:27:25 +0100 4179330 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4180044&cid=t_156796_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2010%2F11%2F18%2Fcholera-not-just-haiti%2F Although the world is currently focused on a serious outbreak of cholera in Haiti, the disease continues to be active in several other areas of the world. The following outbreaks were posted during November, concurrent to the events in Haiti: Benin – An outbreak (846 cases, 7 fatal) was reported. Cameroon – An outbreak (10,000 cases, 597 fatal) Chad – An outbreak (4,000 cases, 135 fatal) was reported. China – Outbreaks were reported in Jiangsu and Anhui Ghana – An outbreak was reported in the Eastern region Haiti – 16,799 cases, 1,034 fatal India – Outbreaks were reported in Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Assam, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. Nigeria – Outbreaks (38,173 cases, 1,555 fatal) involved 11 states. Pakistan – Large outbreaks have ... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4180044 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 10:13:40 +0100 4180044 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4174168&cid=t_156796_46_f&fid=38787&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmsf.ca%2Fblogs%2Fphotos%2F2010%2F11%2F17%2Fhaiti-18%2F Archaie, Haiti – October 2010 A man infected with cholera being treated at a local hospital in the village of Archaie, Haiti. On Tuesday, the Haitian government announced that the death toll from the cholera outbreak that began last month had surpassed 1,000. MSF teams saw cases increasing across the country with particular spikes in the capital, Port-au-Prince, and the northern cities of Cap Haitien, Port de Paix, and Gros Morne. The fundamental paradox remains in place: an easily treatable and preventable disease continues to claim lives. (Source: MSF Blogs) MSF Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4174168 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 09:57:53 +0100 4174168 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4142752&cid=t_156796_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdeath-by-diarrhea-how-to-make-your-own-oral-rehydration-solution%2F2010.11.06 My friend and fellow medblogger Jan Gurley has participated in two mission trips to Haiti this year. On her blog she describes the shocking living conditions that she encountered, including a new outbreak of cholera. Cholera can kill a person in as few as three hours by causing the body to loose all its fluid through the intestines. Fluid replacement is the key to surviving cholera, though plain water lacks the electrolytes necessary for sustaining life. With just four bottle caps of sugar and one bottle cap of salt in half a liter of water, you can create lifesaving oral rehydration therapy. No need for Gatorade — Dr. Gurley shows you how in this video (please pass it on): (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4142752 Sat, 06 Nov 2010 16:21:57 +0100 4142752 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4114925&cid=t_156796_46_f&fid=38787&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmsf.ca%2Fblogs%2Fphotos%2F2010%2F10%2F29%2Fhaiti-17%2F St. Marc, Haiti – October 27, 2010 Patients suffering from cholera-like symptoms lay on the floor at a hospital run by the Haitian government and Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders. Haiti, one of the poorest nations in the Western Hemisphere, has been further unsettled by an outbreak of cholera which has so far killed nearly 300 people as of Oct 26. The epidemic has affected the central Artibonite and Central Plateau regions with 3,612 cases so far on record. (Source: MSF Blogs) MSF Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4114925 Fri, 29 Oct 2010 10:04:53 +0100 4114925 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4119392&cid=t_156796_123_f&fid=39041&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrnabong.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fwhat-is-cholera.html We have not seen this type of gastroenteritis for a long time but when we flip through the news it has been spreading in Haiti. It has caused several deaths because of severe dehydration.Cholera is characterized by voluminous diarrhea without abdominal cramps or fever. Dehydration and shock can occur within 4-12 hours if fluids losses .are not replaced. Stools are colorless with small flecks of mucus "rice-water". Most infected people have no symptoms and some only have mild to moderate diarrhea lasting 3 to 7 days,fewer than 5% have severe watery stools with dehydration.Humans are the only documented natural host in ingestion of contaminated water or undercooked/raw shellfish, raw or partially dried fish,moist grains,moist vegetables. Direct person to person contact has not been documente... Dr Nabong's Pediatric Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4119392 Tue, 26 Oct 2010 16:55:00 +0100 4119392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4105604&cid=t_156796_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fhaiti-threatened-cholera-outbreak%2F In a worrisome development, international health authorities are reporting five new cases of cholera in Haiti. Spokesperson Imogen Wall comments. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4105604 Mon, 25 Oct 2010 11:43:45 +0100 4105604 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3866939&cid=t_156796_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fearly-cholera-cases-ominous-sign-pakistani-flooding%2F In a likely to be burgeoning medical crisis, foreign medical aid workers have confirmed the first cases of cholera in victims of the flooding in Pakistan. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3866939 Sat, 14 Aug 2010 23:04:28 +0100 3866939 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3056918&cid=t_156796_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fwater-woes-in-wealthy-countries.html Industrialized Nations Ignore Water Infrastructure And Imperil HealthIn 1993, because Milwaukee Water Works shrugged off reports of increased turbidity in its water source, more than 400,000 residents were infected with Cryptosporidium.In 2000, because Walkerton, Ontario Public Utilities Commission was not properly supervising the town's drinking water chlorination system, E. coli O157:H7 killed seven residents and sickened 2,300.In 2008, because Alamosa, Colorado was not chlorinating its water supply – the town had been granted a waiver in 1974 – at least 442 people became infected with Salmonella.Those of us who are fortunate enough to live in the "developed world" usually associate waterborne illness with underdeveloped countries – mostly in Asia and Africa. Fifty men, women and c... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3056918 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:00:00 +0100 3056918 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2939584&cid=t_156796_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fcholera-chronicle-october-28-2009.html October 28, 2009Cholera is spread through human fecal contamination of food and water supplies. It is a frequent Disease of Disaster, accompanying famines, floods, wars, and other natural- or man-made disasters. Its victims – as many as several million each year(1) – typically are destitute, displaced or debilitated. And, all too often, dead.Although its incidence waxes and wanes with the seasons, cholera never sleeps. So far this month, the disease has made its usual rounds in Africa and Asia. It has left death and diarrhea in its wake in Angola, Cameroon, Guinea-Bissau, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Since early in September, cholera has killed 149 people in Nigeria, 59 in Tanzania, and 51 in Cameroon. Recent storms and flo... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2939584 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:15:00 +0100 2939584 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2933446&cid=t_156796_46_f&fid=38787&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmsf.ca%2Fblogs%2Fphotos%2F2009%2F10%2F28%2Fpakistan-6%2F Photo: Jodi Bieber North West Frontier Province – September 19, 2009 An infant dozes on a stretcher in a fan-cooled tent at the MSF run cholera treatment centre at the Mardan Medical Complex, in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province, while older women peer into structure housing 12 of 65 beds. Between June and October 2009, MSF treated a total of 1 611 patients at the centre and about a third of the patients had to be put on intravenous rehydration immediately to save them. Young children remain most at risk of the diseases that is endemic to the region. (Source: MSF Blogs) MSF Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2933446 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:15:24 +0100 2933446 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2865319&cid=t_156796_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2009%2F10%2Fstudies-of-dengue-in-thailand.html During the 1950s, the South-East Asian Treaty Organization (SEATO), in response to a cholera outbreak occurring throughout Asia, created a number of laboratories comprised of host-country and US scientists in Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The Thailand laboratory named the SEATO General Medical Research Project located in Bangkok, later re-named the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS) in 1977, formed a still ongoing 50-year relationship of Thai-US collaborators in the study of tropical infectious diseases. The discovery that Bangkok was experiencing an outbreak of a new clinical manifestation of dengue infection, dengue haemorrhagic fever by both Thai and US scientists, allowed the ongoing study of dengue in Thailand that spanned over a half of a cent... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2865319 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:39:00 +0100 2865319 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2694945&cid=t_156796_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2009%2F08%2Fvibrio-book-review.html "... a major strength of this book is that it covers many diverse aspects of V. cholerae ecology, epidemiology, adaptation and evolution. The chapters on genomics and evolution, population genetics and emerging clones present up to date information and relevant references for further exploration of these topics. In addition, there is a chapter on molecular ecology that discusses what is known about the evolution of toxigenic V. cholerae strains and how they survive in the environment, a topic which is extremely timely ... I found this book to be a great resource for describing the current state of the art of V. cholerae molecular biology on a wide range of topics, both medically and environmentally relevant. Thus, this book is valuable reading to anyone involved in the field of cholera res... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2694945 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 08:11:00 +0100 2694945 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2448218&cid=t_156796_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fcholera-chronicle-may-31-2009.html Welcome to the eFoodAlert Cholera Chronicle. Periodically, we'll present a summary by region of cholera news from around the world.Cholera is spread through human fecal contamination of food and water supplies. It is a frequent Disease of Disaster, accompanying famines, floods, wars, and other natural- or man-made disasters. Its victims typically are destitute, displaced or debilitated. And, all too often, dead.AfricaKenya, May 27 – A cholera outbreak on the outskirts of Nairobi has prompted government officials to close 20 food outlets in an effort to prevent the spread of the disease. Fourteen cases have been reported so far in this most recent episode. Swaziland, May 30 – Two 9-year old girls in the Lubombo region of Swaziland have been diagnosed with cholera and are undergoing trea... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2448218 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:21:00 +0100 2448218 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2424536&cid=t_156796_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fcholera-chronicle-may-20-2009.html Welcome to the eFoodAlert Cholera Chronicle. Periodically, we'll present a summary by region of cholera news from around the world.Cholera is spread through human fecal contamination of food and water supplies. It is a frequent Disease of Disaster, accompanying famines, floods, wars, and other natural- or man-made disasters. Its victims typically are destitute, displaced or debilitated. And, all too often, dead.AfricaZimbabwe: The United Nations reported on May 11th that the death toll for this 9-month outbreak has reached 4,271; at least 97,400 people have been infected with Vibrio cholerae since August 2008. The good news is that the number of new cases has dropped significantly – just 65 during April. Nevertheless, the conditions that allowed this outbreak to spin out of control are ... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2424536 Wed, 20 May 2009 22:20:00 +0100 2424536 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2399272&cid=t_156796_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fcholera-chronicle-may-10-2009.html Welcome to the eFoodAlert Cholera Chronicle. Every Sunday, we'll present a summary by region of cholera news from around the world.Cholera is spread through human fecal contamination of food and water supplies. It is a frequent Disease of Disaster, accompanying famines, floods, wars, and other natural- or man-made disasters. Its victims typically are destitute, displaced or debilitated. And, all too often, dead.One troubling side-effect of the current influenza near-pandemic is the diversion of international attention and resources from the fight against cholera and other diseases that afflict the world's underdeveloped countries. The World Health Organization, which had been providing regular updates on the status of Zimbabwe's cholera outbreak, issued its last report on March 23rd. At th... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2399272 Sun, 10 May 2009 14:22:00 +0100 2399272 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2387253&cid=t_156796_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fcholera-chronicle-may-3-2009.html Welcome to the eFoodAlert Cholera Chronicle. Every Sunday, we'll present a summary by region of cholera news from around the world.Cholera is spread through human fecal contamination of food and water supplies. It is a frequent Disease of Disaster, accompanying famines, floods, wars, and other natural- or man-made disasters. Its victims typically are destitute, displaced or debilitated. And, all too often, dead.Asia, Including RussiaMalaysia, April 29 – A suspected cholera outbreak has landed approximately 50 people in hospital so far. Cholera has been confirmed in one patient. The source of the outbreak is under investigation.Viet Nam, April 28 – A second person – a 91-year old man – has been diagnosed with cholera in Hanoi. The patient reported eating dog meat, shrimp sauce and ... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2387253 Sun, 03 May 2009 23:01:00 +0100 2387253 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2368728&cid=t_156796_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fcholera-chronicle-april-26-2009.html Welcome to the eFoodAlert Cholera Chronicle. Every Sunday, we'll present a summary by region of cholera news from around the world.Cholera is spread through human fecal contamination of food and water supplies. It is a frequent Disease of Disaster, accompanying famines, floods, wars, and other natural- or man-made disasters. Its victims typically are destitute, displaced or debilitated. And, all too often, dead.Central and South AmericaParaguay, April 26 – The government has confirmed an outbreak of cholera that has infected five individuals, including four members of one family.Asia, Including RussiaVietnam, April 22 – Health authorities are scrutinizing dog meat restaurants after the first cholera case of the season was confirmed in Hanoi. The victim, who is recovering, reported havi... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2368728 Sun, 26 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2368728 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2068109&cid=t_156796_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fcholera-in-zimbabwe-and-beyond-perfect.html December 26, 2008According to the latest report from the World Health Organization, the current cholera epidemic has killed 1,518 Zimbabwean victims. As of December 25th, 26,497 confirmed cases of cholera have been recorded, with more to come. And these numbers already are out of date.While international aid agencies appeal – successfully – for money and supplies to fight the epidemic, Mugabe continues to resist the international community's attempts to assist victims. According to Zimbabwe's president, the cholera epidemic is a plot hatched by the United Kingdom to overthrow the government.As we've reported previously, the Zimbabwe epidemic has spilled into neighboring countries, especially South Africa. Botswana and Zambia are on alert for cholera flare-ups, while Zimbabwe's remai... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2068109 Fri, 26 Dec 2008 19:00:00 +0100 2068109 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2056787&cid=t_156796_88_f&fid=38203&url=http%3A%2F%2Fprecordialthump.medbrains.net%2F2008%2F12%2F22%2Fa-picture-worth-a-thousand-words-iii%2F Map 1. Published by C.F. Cheffins, Lith, Southhampton Buildings, London, England, 1854 in Snow, John. On the Mode of Communication of Cholera, 2nd Ed, John Churchill, New Burlington Street, London, England, 1855. John Snow, one of the first anaesthetists (he even chloroformed Queen Victoria!) investigated the 1854 Broad Street cholera outbreak in Soho, London. By mapping the cases of cholera he was able to link transmission of the illness to contaminated water consumed from the Broad Street pump. This hammered a nail in the coffin of the “miasma” theory of cholera transmission, and heralded the birth of the new science of epidemiology. As John Snow himself said: On proceeding to the spot, I found that nearly all the deaths had taken place within a short distance of the [Broad S... AEQUANIMITAS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2056787 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 10:01:55 +0100 2056787 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2034301&cid=t_156796_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fzimbabwe-cholera-epidemic-over-not.html December 12, 2008Robert Mugabe, fearing that the United States and the United Kingdom would use Zimbabwe's cholera epidemic as an excuse to topple his dysfunctional regime, has found an easy way out. He has simply declared that the epidemic has ended.Sorry, Mr. President. It's not that simple.One thing that world leaders and non-government organizations can agree on is that Zimbabwe's cholera epidemic is far from over, and that Mugabe and his government are not capable of reversing the total collapse of infrastructure that their policies precipitated. Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, summarized that consensus, in a statement reported on December 8th. "This government," said Annan, "has not demonstrated the ability to lead the country out of its current crisis."T... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2034301 Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:55:00 +0100 2034301 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2014120&cid=t_156796_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fchina-syndrome-looking-back-again.html What's worse? A cholera epidemic that got out of hand due to government neglect, denial and incompetence, or the systematic adulteration of food and feed that was winked at by all levels of government? It depends on your point of view.Zimbabwe's government, let by Robert Mugabe, has a lot to answer for. After decades of neglect, the country's water and sewage infrastructure – once fully modern – has collapsed. The resulting cholera epidemic has claimed more than 500 lives and infected in excess of 12,000 Zimbabweans. And it has spilled into the neighboring countries of South Africa and Botswana.China's melamine adulteration scandal, in contrast, cost 6 lives and sickened 294,000 infants – nearly 52,000 of them were hospitalized – as a result of the presence of high levels of melami... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2014120 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:40:00 +0100 2014120 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2012006&cid=t_156796_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fzimbabwe-cholera-update.html December 3, 2008The situation in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate.Two days ago, we reported that Zimbabwe's neighbors were getting worried that the Zimbabwe epidemic would spill over. South Africa, Botswana and Malawi already had reported cholera cases in people who had crossed their shared borders with Zimbabwe. Yesterday, the news got worse.The health department of Limpopo Province (South Africa) reported that Vibrio cholerae – the causative agent of cholera – has been detected in the Limpopo River. This river forms part of the border between South Africa and Zimbabwe, as well as between South Africa and Botswana. Limpopo has treated 399 cholera patients since November 15th. An additional 101 patients were admitted to hospitals around the province between December 1st and 2nd. Six ... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2012006 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:53:00 +0100 2012006 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2007195&cid=t_156796_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fzimbabwe-exports-cholera-to-neighbors.html The Zimbabwean economy is so bad that it has nothing to export – except its cholera victims. It has plenty of those.According to the country's opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, more than 500 Zimbabweans have died of cholera in an epidemic that has been simmering since August. The World Health Organization is somewhat more conservative, estimating a death toll of 412.It's taken the better part of four months, but the government finally appears to have acknowledged that an epidemic is in full flower. One week ago, the deputy health minister blamed the epidemic on "illegal sanctions" and stated that the situation was under control. And Zimbabwe denied entry visas to a committee of "Elders" – former US President Jimmy Carter, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Graca Machel, th... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2007195 Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:51:00 +0100 2007195 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1975543&cid=t_156796_85_f&fid=36195&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealth.tesstermulo.com%2F%3Fp%3D547 Is this the start of a new series of cholera outbreaks? It is reported that almost 1,000 people in Misamis Oriental is stricken with cholera since November 15, Saturday, of which is described as the worst outbreak of the disease since 1975, according to health officials.  Patients are being attended to in the municipal hospital and in the local health units.  But with the overwhelming number of patients, all experiencing abdominal cramps and moderate to severe dehydration because of the “rice-water” stools, it is feared that medical supplies will run out before everyone is given the proper treatment.  Health workers even had to pitch tents outside the hospital just to be accomodate the other patients.  It’ll be a week more before the tests run by the epidemiologist, w... Prudence, M.D. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1975543 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:00:41 +0100 1975543 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1964716&cid=t_156796_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fcholera-runs-rampant-in-africa.html Another month, another cholera outbreak. Or two. Or three.November has seen its share of disasters in Africa. And cholera – the ultimate "disease of disaster" – is taking its usual toll on the continent's devastated population.Foremost on the list of disaster areas is the Democratic Republic of Congo, where fighting in the eastern part of the country has displaced more than 800,000 people. The World Health Organization reports that cholera cases in Kivu province have tripled since the beginning of October, with more than 1,800 cases having been logged in the province. WHO is working with non-governmental organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, UNICEF and the International Red Cross to furnish food, clean water, and medicines to the refugee camps, in an attempt to contain disease... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1964716 Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:41:00 +0100 1964716 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1856862&cid=t_156796_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fcholera-by-numbers-africa-and-asia.html "Sixty-two per cent of Africans do not have access to an improved sanitation facility -- a proper toilet -- which separates human waste from human contact."- World Health Organization, 20 March 2008But, what is a 'proper toilet'?When we visited Myanmar (SouthEast Asia) last January, we had a chance to see for ourselves what constitutes a proper toilet for the more fortunate residents of Inle Lake's floating villages.A typical toilet cubicle (the thatched wall portion) of an Inle Lake floating village homeA typical toiletToilet cubicle ready for installation of toilet. Human waste drops directly into Inle Lake.Why is this important? Because Inle Lake villagers wash their clothes, their cooking utensils and themselves in the lake. They use lake water for their crops; they net shrimp, which a... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1856862 Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:21:00 +0100 1856862 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1813077&cid=t_156796_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fcholera-and-diarrhea-by-numbers-iraq.html Everyone seems to agree that there is – or was – an outbreak of cholera in Iraq. But that's where the agreement ends.The International Society for Infectious Diseases, in an unusual move, incorporated five different reports on Iraq's cholera outbreak into its September 15th "Cholera, Diarrhea and Dysentery Update." The official, government-provided data reported 5 deaths and 68 confirmed cases of cholera. But the Chairman of Iraq's Parliamentary Health Commission claimed that more than 1,000 people had died, and unnamed members of parliament have said that more than 10,000 people have been hospitalized with the disease.To add to the confusion at the national level, a member of the Governorate Council of the province of Babil has accused Iraq's leaders of hiding the magnitude of the out... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1813077 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 12:59:00 +0100 1813077 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1783382&cid=t_156796_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Firaq-and-cholera-annual-event.html The World Health Organization (WHO) has made it official. This year's cholera outbreak has begun in Iraq.A year ago, the country suffered a major outbreak of cholera that sickened almost 4,700 people and claimed 24 lives. That outbreak took place mostly in the northern part of Iraq. But Vibrio cholerae, the water-borne microbe that is responsible for the bloody diarrhea that is the hallmark of cholera, has moved farther south this year.The 2008 outbreak began officially on August 20th, when the first cases were lab-confirmed. By August 28th, 181 suspected cases – 7 confirmed – already had been reported from Baghdad and Misan Province. From Baghdad, the outbreak has traveled south to Babil Province, which has reported 116 suspected cases. As of September 10th, 21 of the suspected cases... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1783382 Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:26:00 +0100 1783382 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1776187&cid=t_156796_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fcholera-makes-comeback.html Cholera is back (not that it ever really left) thanks to all the usual suspects: major flooding, military activities, overcrowding, shortage of health supplies and government indifference.IndiaEven before the monsoonal floods hit, Delhi was writing the most recent chapter in its permanent almanac of cholera outbreaks. The city logged 450 cases of cholera in the first eight months of 2008. And the worst is still ahead. Indian officials warned yesterday that 2.1 million refugees are at risk of contracting cholera and other gastrointestinal diseases, with "large numbers" of people already complaining of stomach aches, fever and diarrhea. Villagers in Murshidabad, where the village wells haven't been operating for several months, have been drinking untreated water from the Banshlai River. The... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1776187 Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:13:00 +0100 1776187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1718052&cid=t_156796_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F08%2Fefoodalert-world-tour-asia-and-africa.html The cost of poor sanitation in developing countries is often overlooked or underestimated. The World Bank reported that Indonesia loses more than $6 billion per year to diseases transmitted by contaminated water and unsanitary practices. According to the WHO, Indonesia, with a total population of some 237 million, suffers 120 million cases of hygiene-related disease – and 50,000 fatalities – annually. These statistics should not be a surprise to anyone who has been following the eFoodAlert World Tour and Water Woes series. But this problem extends far beyond Indonesia's borders. BBC News reported today that the International Water Management Institute has found that untreated sewage is being used to irrigate urban crops in many areas of the developing world. The IWMI has learned tha... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1718052 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:49:00 +0100 1718052 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1680123&cid=t_156796_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F08%2Fwater-woes-asia-africa-and-cholera.html It's a rare day that goes by without a story somewhere in the news about a cholera outbreak in Asia or Africa. In 2007, the World Health Organization received reports of 177,963 cases of cholera – including 4,031 deaths – from 53 countries. These data are not all-inclusive. No cases were reported from Central or South America, and no information was available from the Western Pacific or Central Asia.The culprit is Vibrio cholerae, a rod-shaped bacterium that is spread through contaminated water – including shellfish harvested from contaminated sea beds, produce grown using contaminated irrigation water, or produce washed in contaminated water.Vibrio cholerae infections result in a watery diarrhea, which can vary from mild to severe – sometimes bloody. Severe cases can result in lif... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1680123 Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:51:00 +0100 1680123 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1661260&cid=t_156796_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Fwater-woes-asia-and-africa.html The good news, according to a recent World Health Organization report, is that the number of people worldwide with no access to a protected drinking water source has fallen below one billion for the first time. The bad news is that 2.5 billion people – most of them in Asia and Africa – lack access to decent sanitation facilities. And nearly 1.2 billion people still have no alternative than to defecate in the open.In light of these sad statistics, it's no wonder that a new or expanded cholera outbreak – or some other water-borne disease – is reported in Asia or Africa almost daily. Here are some examples:Jaipur India. Three people die – including an eight-year old girl – and 115 people suffer from diarrhea after drinking contaminated water. The drinking water supply became conta... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1661260 Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:21:00 +0100 1661260 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1594274&cid=t_156796_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Fon-cholera-trail.html The only certainties in this world are death, taxes and cholera. Since my last report, there have been several new outbreaks of cholera and "acute diarrhea" in Africa and Asia.Uganda (southeast)Four districts fed by the Manafwa River in the southeast of Uganda experienced a cholera outbreak after heavy April rains flushed contaminated water from Bugobero into the Manafwa. Thirty-one people died, out of a total of at least 290 infected individuals, in the six weeks following the rains.South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal)Health officials implemented precautionary measures in late June at a shelter in the coastal area of KwaZulu-Natal after an unspecified number of people – including a one-month-old baby boy – began to experience diarrhea. Cholera is suspected, but hadn't been confirmed at the ti... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1594274 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:58:00 +0100 1594274 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1455604&cid=t_156796_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fmyanmar-after-storm-part-6.html The official toll of dead and missing in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis has increased to more than 133,000. Nearly 78,000 people have died, according to the Myanmar government, and more than 55,000 are still unaccounted for.Estimates of the total number of people affected by the cyclone are as high as 3.2 million, based on a computer model of the population distribution in the area. And the International Red Cross has warned repeatedly and urgently that clean water is needed to avert a public health disaster.But we need not worry, because the Myanmar government has announced that there is no outbreak of infectious diseases in the region hit by Cyclone Nargis. And that makes it so.The World Health Organization, however, has confirmed some cases of cholera, but it reports that the number of... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1455604 Sun, 18 May 2008 18:29:00 +0100 1455604 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1455620&cid=t_156796_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fmyanmar-after-storm-part-4.html The sky has fallen on the people of Myanmar, and there is no relief in view. It has been raining all day in the hardest-hit part of the Ayeyarwaddy River delta; heavy thunderstorms are predicted to continue for the next three days.Now that the ruling junta has secured – through intimidation and intrigue – a "victory" in its referendum, it has grudgingly inched open the front door of the country to a few aid workers. Supplies have begun clearing through the Yangon airport with greater efficiency, and some boats, trucks and fuel have become available to transport food, medicines and shelters to the victims.At best, however, only a trickle of aid is reaching victims. Part of the problem is the lack of decent roads. Driving in Myanmar is a challenge even under good conditions, and the mass... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1455620 Sun, 11 May 2008 19:42:00 +0100 1455620 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1455622&cid=t_156796_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fmyanmar-after-storm-crisis.html The military government of Myanmar should be congratulated. They are writing the ultimate case study of how to turn a disastrous situation into a complete catastrophe.With more than 1 million of its people homeless, hungry, thirsty and in dire risk of infectious diseases, the military cabal that controls this country has said to the world, "Give us your money, your food, your water, and your medical supplies – but STAY OUT."The United Nations World Food Programme took the unprecedented step of halting aid flights to Myanmar temporarily after the UN was forced to transfer the supplies into government warehouses. The country's leaders denied impounding the supplies, claiming that the government simply wanted to control the distribution of food itself. The UN has since announced that it wil... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1455622 Fri, 09 May 2008 23:00:00 +0100 1455622 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1376690&cid=t_156796_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F04%2F16%2Fhistoric-health-plague-in-gotham-cholera-in-19th-century-nyc%2F “…one may take a walk up & down Broadway & scare meet a soul.” Almost impossible to imagine these days but apparently that was the way it was back in 1832 when New York City was in the middle of a cholera epidemic. By the time it had ended, over 3000 people had died out a population of 250,000. A dreadful time. And the worst of it - the medical profession didn’t know what caused it. It seemed to be a mystery. Those who could afford to escaped the city. The New York Evening Post reported “The roads, in all directions, were lined with well-filled stagecoaches, livery coaches, private vehicles, and equestrians, all panic-struck, fleeing the city, as we may suppose the inhabitants of Pompeii fled when the red lava showered down upon their houses.” Th... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1376690 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:33:05 +0100 1376690 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1373544&cid=t_156796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F270559122%2F It’s April 15th, halfway through Autism Awareness Month 2008, and you’ve surely heard more than a few mentions about the supposed “autism epidemic” that we’re currently facing, and musings about what is causing the recent rise in the prevalence rate of autism: In the 1960s, autism was considered a rare disorder that occurred in only about 3 in every 10,000 children; now the prevalence rate for autism is, according to the most recent figures released on February 8, 2007, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 150 among children in the United States. And in New Jersey, where I live, the prevalence rate is 1 in 94. A recently published study in the Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology by Dorothy Bishop, et al., found that some adults who re... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1373544 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 08:21:29 +0100 1373544 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1289140&cid=t_156796_85_f&fid=36195&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealth.tesstermulo.com%2F%3Fp%3D433 I find it a tragic comedy how superstition, rumors, and panic start or further worsen any epidemic. People make stupid mistakes and unfortunately, can worsen situations that could have been made more stable in usual ways. Sadly, in our history, there had been such times in which a spread of disease could have been prevented if the public had not panicked or if the government had more sense in thinking of ways to effectively quarantine affected areas. The worst epidemic in the history of Philippines was said to be the 1902-1904 Cholera Epidemic. Read the New York Times account here. Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by an organism called Vibrio cholerae that can be transmitted through food and water or through fecal-oral contamination. It leads to an acute onset of severe diarrh... Prudence, M.D. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1289140 Sun, 09 Mar 2008 07:57:29 +0100 1289140 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1033001&cid=t_156796_99_f&fid=35344&url=http%3A%2F%2Fzackarysholemberger.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Flonesome-death-of-max-von-pettenkofer.html The Lonesome Death of Max von PettenkoferFrom the American Journal of Epidemiology. In the mid-19th century, the German hygienist Max von Pettenkofer viewed cholera as resulting from the interaction between a postulated cholera germ and the characteristics of soils. In order to cause cholera, the cholera germ had to become a cholera miasma, but this transformation required prolonged contact of the germ with dry and porous soils when groundwater levels were low. This hypothetical germ-environment interaction explained more observations than did contagion alone. Despite its attraction, von Pettenkofer's postulate also implied that cholera-patient quarantine or water filtration was useless to prevent and/or control cholera epidemics. The disastrous consequences of the lack of water filtration... Zackary Sholem Berger blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1033001 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 17:53:00 +0100 1033001