As soon as the world breathed a sigh of relief at the decline of the “Corona” epidemic, until another epidemic threat through “cholera” knocked on the door of Arab countries, as if we were experiencing a health war that imposed on us. to always stay on our preventive weapons to fight epidemics.
In a first alarm, the World Health Organization warned of a “serious threat in Syria and the region” represented by the outbreak of a cholera epidemic in several regions of the country, as confirmed cases were reported through rapid diagnostic tests. in Aleppo, Al-Hasakah, Deir Ezzor and Raqqa, in addition to the contamination of the Euphrates River due to water scarcity. But the most dangerous thing is through the vegetables and fruits that are irrigated by the Euphrates, which poses a real threat to the process of crossing these products into Lebanon, which was free only of cholera, in light of the waves of corruption and, and living anguish.
Cholera has not spread to Lebanon so far, but specialist in family medicine and bacterial diseases, Dr. Antoine Chalita, points out that the rapid diagnosis of cholera is extremely important, especially in light of the economic difficulties we are experiencing and the patient reluctance. to visit the doctor.
In an interview with the “Lebanese Forces” website, he invites citizens to avoid non-sterilized food and to go to restaurants that do not enjoy a minimum of health protection and are unknown. At home, food must be sterilized, especially fruit and vegetables, and water tanks, as the source is unknown and what are the procedures of the water authority.
Explain that a cholera sufferer does not need to be isolated like a coronary patient, but the disease is contagious, so the bathroom must be sterilized after using it and bathing every day, as well as washing hands.
Shalita explains the symptoms of “cholera”, “high temperature, diarrhea and a feeling of laziness or lethargy, and in some cases the cholera sufferer suffers from low blood pressure and rapid heartbeat, and this is caused by the body losing a large amount of water due to the high temperature. “
He points out that a cholera sufferer needs a period of one to two weeks for a complete recovery and that the methods of treatment are simple through “entobiotics” in case of a correct diagnosis.
From an environmental point of view, the head of the Earth Society-Lebanon, environmental expert Paul Abi Rashid, considers water scarcity and rationing in Turkey, Syria and Iraq an essential part that contributes to the formation and spread of cholera, and dams play an important role.
It points out that water scarcity and stagnant water to become swamps in the Euphrates River have affected the pollution of the water from which crops are irrigated, in addition to the lack of wastewater refining has negatively affected, but this remains part of the problem.
He explained to the “Forces” website, “Building dams in Turkey and the practice of rationing in Syria is one of the problems that has contributed to the spread of cholera in Syria through the Euphrates River and other areas and cities.”
The use of unrefined wastewater and natural fertilizers contributes to the contamination of fruit and vegetables, i.e. also irrigation contaminated with faeces or direct contamination resulting from improper production, sanitation procedures or facilities in the collection or line of production may represent sources of “cholera”.
Cholera has the ability to survive for shorter periods of time by eating fruit or vegetables, and environmental conditions play a role in the arrival of cholera to the consumer through imported foods. Fresh fruits and vegetables can be contaminated by contact with soil contaminated with feces, fertilizers or irrigation water.
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