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Last week, it was reported that at least one hundred people perished in Haiti due to cholera. Now, this week, CNN reports that over 1,500 people have perished already in Nigeria from the same intestinal infection. What is shocking is that cholera is an easily treatable condition.
Cholera, a bacterial infection of the small intestine, causes watery diarrhea among other symptoms, such as abdominal cramps, dry skin and mouth, rapid heart rate, intense dehydration, excessive thirst, nausea and vomiting. If left untreated, it can become fatal in a matter of hours.
Haiti is a nation that has been suffering since its independence, by way of an exhaustive $268 million debt, which the International Monetary Fund (IMF) stated that it would cancel in light of the devastating January 12th earthquake in which thousands upon thousands of people perished and over one million were displaced.
Now, reparations, that is another case. Yet and still, most of the $3.5 billion pledged since the earthquake has not been actualized. The living conditions (if you want to call it that), which people have been dealing with, magnified since the earthquake, have widely been reported: improper sewage systems, lack of sustainable shelter, and lack of food. It is no wonder that we are now hearing about a cholera outbreak.
Across the Atlantic Ocean, we enter Nigeria, often considered the giant of Africa, and home to approximately 150 million people, it is the most populous black nation in the world. Here, the recent floods have sparked the worst cholera outbreak in 20 years. We are told that 1,500 people have died from an easily treatable condition, from among at least 40,000 cases reported. In addition, hundreds of deaths have been reported in the bordering nation of Cameroon.
Causes of Cholera
Places that experience improper sanitation -- contaminated water, inadequate sewage systems, natural disasters, tight living conditions -- are breeding grounds for cholera.
Prevention of Cholera
1) Have a properly managed sewage system (also see Compost Toilet System).
2) Wash hands after using the toilet and before eating.
3) Purify water
a) Boil water for five to ten minutes
b) Add moringa seeds
c) Solar disinfection
Source: Cholera: Treatment with Natural Medicine / medicinal plants
Treatment of Cholera
1) A widely used method is Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), used to replace lost liquid, minerals, and energy.
In addition, there are some herbal treatments that can address such cholera symptoms as diarrhea and dehydration.
1) A widely used method is Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), used to replace lost liquid, minerals, and energy.
In addition, there are some herbal treatments that can address such cholera symptoms as diarrhea and dehydration.
2) Black pepper is used to treat dysentery, weakness caused by cholera, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and mental exhaustion, among other problems.
Source: The Complete Guide to Herbal Medicines by Charles W. Fetrow and Juan R. Avila
3) Mucuna Pruriens (pois gratter/ velvet bean/cowage), used to treat cholera, is found in such countries as Haiti and the Dominican Republic among other tropical areas. The plant, when young, is hairy on both sides of its leaves. The leaves are various shapes such as ovate, tripinnate and rhombus. The seed pod, if touched, can cause itching. The pod is 10 cm long and covered with orange hair.
Source: Medicinal plants of the world: chemical constituents, traditional and modern medicinal uses by Ivan A. Ross
4) Guava Root Bark helps to arrest the symptoms of cholera, such as vomiting and diarrhea. Guava (Psidium guajava) is found in such places as Haiti, Nigeria, and other tropical areas.
Source: Handbook of African medicinal plants by Maurice M. Iwu
5) Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus/Sitronel) is not only used for aromatherapy, but also in the treatment of cholera.Found in such places as Haiti and Nigeria.
Source: Medicinal plants of the world: chemical constituents, traditional and modern medicinal uses by Ivan A. Ross
*Consult with an herbalist or other qualified health care practitioner
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Source: http://www.bvblackspin.com/2010/10/27/cholera-outbreak-in-haiti-and-nigeria-claims-over-1-800-lives/
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