Cholera, a killer disease for children, but easily preventable
Due to the ongoing drought in the Oromia and Somali regions, of Ethiopia, there has been a deadly outbreak of cholera.
In Bale Zone, Oromia there have been nearly 800 recorded cases and tragically 12 deaths.
6-year-old Lisa Jamal got cholera after drinking contaminated water from the only river source in Melka Buta village - the Mena River. Her father Jamal said: “I was so scared, two nights ago, she started violently vomiting and had chronic diarrhea. Because health workers had visited our village to explain the symptoms of cholera and that treatment was available, I rushed my baby to the centre. Now she is getting the treatment she needs.”
Children go to the river to collect water and wash their clothes – it is a killer source of water.
Cholera is an intestinal infection that easily spreads because of a lack of clean water and sanitation. Children living in drought conditions are particularly at risk.
But cholera does not have to result in death. It can be treated and more importantly prevented.
In this community, children are being treated for cholera in a UNICEF supported cholera treatment center (CTC).
Most children infected with cholera can be successfully cured using oral rehydration solution. Severe cases of cholera require rapid treatment with intravenous fluids and antibiotics. But if left untreated, the disease can kill within hours.
Health worker Misra Garil has worked at the CTC for two months now. “It makes me so sad to see these children so sick just because there is no clean water,” said Misra. But it also makes her feel proud when her patients get better. “It does make me emotional, but it is worth it to see these children recover.”
Saliya Kasim also works at the centre, and he disinfects the tents and equipment twice a day. “This is important work, and I am happy I can help my community to heal our children,” he said. “I also go into the village to disinfect the homes of children who have been admitted and explain to their families what they must do to not let their children get this disease again.”
Abdullalahifati was admitted 3 days ago, and his grandma Zahada is smiling with joy at his speedy recovery. “My poor grandson was so sick but within a few days he got stronger once I brought him to the centre,” said Zahada. “I hope to take him home tomorrow.”
UNICEF with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the German Development Bank KfW is also supporting the installation of emergency water treatment kits in cholera-hit areas.
These kits process unclean water from the river into clean, safe water, so children like Abdullalahifati and Lisa, and countless others do not have to suffer from this devastating waterborne disease – a disease that should not even exist in this century.
