The Epidemiological Aspect of Cholera Epidemic in Babylon Province in 2022

Abstract

Background: Cholera is an acute watery diarrheal infection caused by, the Vibrio cholera which is a motile, Gram-negative, comma-shaped, bacteria that enter the humans gastro intestinal tract (GIT) by drinking or eating a contaminated water or food. There are Two serogroups of V. cholerae that cause pandemic, O1 and O139. V. cholerae O1 is further subdivided into two biotypes, classical and El Tor. The Case Fatality rate is the proportion of cholera cases who die to all cases diagnosed with the cholera disease within a specified time.

Objective: To study the distribution of Cholera cases and its relation to the socio demographic variable of the affected patients and to describe the case fatality rate

Patients and methods: This study is A descriptive cross-sectional study has been conducted at the public health department/ communicable diseases control Section, for the period from 1st of February 2023 to the end of July 2023. All confirmed cholera cases was included in the study(369) Collected data was entered and analyzed, using statistical package for social science program (SPSS software version 26).

Results: A total of 1224 suspected cholera cases but their culture to vibrio cholera were negative so excluded from this study, A total 369 cholera patients were selected in our study, the ages of respondents ranged between 1 to 90 years with a mean age 37.7 ± 20.464. the majority (38.8%) of the sample were 45 years old and over. 53.1% of the patients were female; and 60.4% lives in urban area. 41.7% of the total population on study were house wife and only 3% were civil servant. the majority of cases in the center of Babylon. most cases were diagnosed in autumn season. 85.37% of the cases was diagnosed in the hospital. The outcome of cholera cases as 98.92% improved and 1.08% unfortunately die so the case fatality risk (CFR) was 1.08%.

Conclusion: A multifaceted preventive plans are urgently required to be developed by The government to cope this problem including a Combined strategies of 1-Repairing the damaged infrastructures that result from subsequent wars as: Establish a good sewage system, Rehabilitation and maintenance of water supply systems and establishing water supply network to areas don't have it, to ensure clean and safe water supply to the people's houses. 2-immediate notification surveillance, 3- Increase Health education program and distributed to all cultures population by social media, TV, Decision makers and clergy about the causes of the diseases, the ways of transmission, improving personal hygiene as proper way for hand-washing, and encourage breastfeeding and 4- the implementation of oral cholera vaccines (OCVs) during epidemic. Further researches are needs to identify the other causes of high attack and mortality rates.