CHOLERA is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food and water contaminated with the bacterium vibrio cholera. This is growing rapidly in war-torn Yemen. Owning to this lethal disease, 332,000 people have been affected with about 7,000 new cases every day. As a result 23 provinces of Yemen are affected.

There is fear of a cholera epidemic during the annual Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. According to the World Health Organisation, the pilgrimage attracts two to four million people each year, including 1.5 to two million foreigners raising the risk of fatal diseases.

Thus, the Saudi government should take drastic measures to ensure against cholera spreading among pilgrims.

Liaquat Saleh

Turbat

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2017