Mr Fye,

Thanks for passing this on to the L.Some things the people of Banjul need to
know before it gets too late for them. I hope this information gets
disseminated to the people that need it the most.

CHOLERA is a severe form of watery DIARRHEA caused by a bacteria Vibro
Cholerae. It is a common problem in developing countries where poor
sanitation allows the bacteria to spread rapidly, contaminating water
supplies and causing epidemics, and the overflowed toilets in the Banjul
area is absolutely a genuine concern for an outbreak.
When Cholera strikes, all age groups could be affected, but mostly the very
young and the very old are more sevely affected due to their weaker immune
systems.
How do you know if you are suffeing from Cholera?
You start getting large amounts of watery stools [Diarrhea]. Other symptoms
include;
Nausea and vomiting, the feeling of being bloated, your intestines get
gurgly, unconsciousness, seizures, kidney failure and DEHYDRATION--signs
and symptoms of dehydration include intense thirst, dry skin, weakness,
decreased urination or urine that is concentrated, sunken eyes, hypotension
or low blood pressure.

Most people get cholera  from drinking contaminated water or using
contaminated plates or utensils. This happens easily during an epidemic. As
Patients grow weaker it is  harder for them to reach the toilet fast enough
when a bout of diarrhea begins. Others can also become infected after
handling patients soiled clothes or bedding.

The most important treatment for cholera is rehydration, i.e. quickly
replacing water lost through diarrhea. Most people drink a special
rehydration formula. There should be oral rehydration salts readily
available in shops and in pharmacies in The Gambia. They come as tablets, in
packet forms or as ready mixed drinks. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to
help fight the bacteria for those that can afford such a treatment.

While the people of Banjul wait for help to arrive from the Jammeh
government, they need to know that the most important prevention step would
be to ensure that any water used for drinking, cooking or washing is from an
uncontaminated source or is boiled first. Bottled water could also be used,
but how many Gambians could afford this. To make sure that you are using
clean hands to eat, wash your hands in boiled water.

The government needs to put together its resources and take care of the
overflowing toilets as well as the none functional sewers and not let
innocent people like the very young and the very old suffer from some
illness that could have been prevented in the very first place.

God Bless and Peace Be Upon All
Alasana Bah





>From: Elhajj Mustapha Fye <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: THREATS FOR THE OUTBREAK OF CHOLERA IN BANJUL
>Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2000 01:45:47 +0200
>
>Sources have confirmed from The Medical & Health Dept.that,people in
>Banjul
>are facing threats for the outbreak of cholera,due to the overflowed
>toilets.Most
>of the people in Banjul are expressing their present difficulties to use
>their toilets
>and showers,as the sewage system is blocked and  none functional.
>We are kindly asking Butcher Jammeh to use some of his so called
>GIFTS,which
>he gives to the Gambian people,to save the lives of The Gambian people
>from
>this disease.
>                     Thanks
>                         Elhajj.
>
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