Dr. Peter Hotez is an infectious disease expert. He says cholera often threatens people living in extreme conditions.
PETER HOTEZ: "The vibrio cholerae bacillus produces a toxin, and this toxin has the ability to poison cells in such a way that you can no longer absorb water so you can become just a shriveled, desiccated individual just a few hours after infection."
UNICEF estimates that nearly four hundred thousand African children under five will need treatment for severe malnutrition this year. These children are at greater risk of cholera and other diseases.
UNICEF-supported health clinics in many camps are providing tablets to purify water. And they are trying to teach displaced families how to stay healthy.
Dr. Hotez says cholera, for example, can be prevented with sanitary living conditions. But once diarrhea develops, he says, oral rehydration treatment may be the only way to save a child's life.
Pillar Bauza is with the UN refugee agency. She works with children in refugee camps across Africa.
PILLAR BAUZA: "We have high rates of mortality, above the emergency threshold plus high rates of malnutrition."
Refugee camps along the border between Syria and Turkey have reported cases of cholera and malaria. Experts warn that other bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases could become deadly epidemics in crowded camps. Dirty conditions are common in the camps, while safe food and drinking water are hard to find.
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25