Three cases of cholera on the island of Vancouver

QMI agency

Sunday, 25 march, 2018 09:02

UPDATE
Sunday, 25 march, 2018 09:04

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At least three people have contracted cholera on the island of Vancouver, after having eaten the eggs of herring carriers of the bacteria “Vibrio cholerae”, according to local authorities.

In a press release issued Friday, the First Nations Health Authority has indicated that other people fell ill and were awaiting the results of medical tests.

There is, however, unlikely that the contamination has spread, since the contaminated eggs are those collected on algae or seabed, and not those picked up directly on the fish. Fisheries and Oceans Canada Friday ordered the suspension of the collection of eggs of herring in three areas of Vancouver island.

The symptoms of cholera include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. People, however, can be carriers of the bacterium “Vibrio cholerae” without develop in cholera. The First Nations Health Authority encourages people who have been in contact with sick people to take special precautions in terms of hygiene, in order to avoid the spread of the bacteria.

According to the world health Organization, more than 130 000 people have been infected with cholera in 2016, and the disease was 2420 died the same year. It is, however, rare in Canada, and can be easily treated with a good hydration and a rapid response by the health system, according to Health Canada.