WiRED International Releases Cholera Module as Cases Rise in Haiti after Hurricane
BY ALLISON KOZICHAROW AND BERNICE BORN
I
n the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, outbreaks of cholera have added to the rising death toll in Haiti, where people need crucial health information to combat the potential for a widespread cholera epidemic.
WiRED International has just released a health education module on cholera. The module presents a general introduction to cholera and its prevention, transmission, symptoms, treatment and complications. The training course also contains a technical section designed for medical professionals that gives them information about cholera treatment and vaccines.
Researchers have estimated that every year there are 1.4 to 4.3 million cases of cholera which result in 28,000 to 142,000 deaths worldwide. Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused when the intestine is infected by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Without treatment, death can occur within hours. People contract cholera by ingesting contaminated water or food, so those living in places with inadequate water treatment and poor sanitation are at greater risk. A punishing hurricane creates conditions ideal for the rapid spread of cholera bacteria.
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For the past 100 years, cholera has not been a major threat in industrialized nations because of their advanced water and sanitation systems. However, the disease is still common today in many parts of the world, and it remains a challenge in countries where access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation cannot be guaranteed.
WiRED has engaged Translators without Borders to translate the Cholera module into Haitian Creole, with plans to translate it into Spanish and French.
WiRED believes that offering free, downloadable training programs on cholera and other diseases will enable grassroots audiences and medical professionals to protect the health of people in underserved communities worldwide.
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