Thursday, August 18, 2016

Money isn't going to solve the problem, a resolve to the cholera to save lives is the first priority.

Case management (click here)

Efficient treatment resides in prompt rehydration through the administration of oral rehydration salts (ORS) or intravenous fluids, depending of the severity of cases. Up to 80% of patients can be treated adequately through the administration of ORS (WHO/UNICEF ORS standard sachet). Very severely dehydrated patients are treated through the administration of intravenous fluids, preferably Ringer lactate. Appropriate antibiotics can be given to severe cases to diminish the duration of diarrhoea, reduce the volume of rehydration fluids needed and shorten the duration of V. cholerae excretion. For children up to five years, supplementary administration of zinc2 has a proven effective in reducing duration of diarrhoea as well as reduction in successive diarrhoea episodes. In order to ensure timely access to treatment, cholera treatment centres should be set up among the affected populations whenever feasible.
I take it this occurred through contaminated food. Was there a crime committed here by intentional contamination? I am surprised the United Nations would be so remiss to allow contaminated food into any mission in the world, yet alone Haiti.

I suggest strongly the United Nations have transparency of this occurrence. The cholera first needs to be contained through quarantine and victims administered treatment.

The WHO and the UN know what to do. I suggest they carry out a mission to end the spread of cholera. The families with lost members need to be recognized and compensated to allow their well being to continue. The sad issue here is the fact there may be entire families effected with many dead. The Haiti government needs support in ending this and to bring resolve to the people.

If this is an oversight failure, it has to be dealt with in a way that eliminates those most responsible.

Compensation to the families that have lost cholera victims is required. The United Nations will maintain it's mission and purpose only by allowing itself to recognize this tragedy and rightful compensation to the victims. The 10,000 dead have to be recognized financially, but, the treatment of the cholera is the primary focus.

New formulation of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) with reduced osmolarity (click here)

Background: Two decades ago diarrhoea was responsible for around 5 million deaths annually. Through major public health efforts primarily aimed at preventing and treating dehydration this figure has decreased to around 2 million deaths. Prevention of dehydration is primarily achieved by ensuring that children with diarrhoea are provided with more fluids than usual, and/or increased frequency of breastfeeding, during the acute episode. The combination of increased home fluids and the use of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) for the treatment of dehydration have proven to be a very powerful intervention for the prevention of childhood deaths from diarrhoea.