The latest report from the Regional Health Agency (ARS) reported 78 cases of cholera in Mayotte, including 15 active, since the start of the epidemic.
- 78 cases of cholera have been identified in Mayotte.
- On Wednesday May 8, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) announced the death of a three-year-old girl suffering from cholera.
- Cholera is transmitted mainly by hands.
The cholera epidemic continues to progress in Mayotte. In his last assessment published on May 13, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) of Mayotte announced that 78 people are now affected by the disease, including 15 active cases. “Contact” people have been identified and taken care of by the organization’s teams, in order to stem the spread of the infection.
Cholera: is the epidemic likely to spread in mainland France?
Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection, which is transmitted by ingestion of contaminated water or food. On Wednesday May 8, the ARS announced the death of a little girl aged three in the Koungou district, “in which several cases of cholera had been identified in recent weeks, and which had focused intervention efforts and in particular vaccination”.
The first cases of cholera were recorded from mid-March in Mayotte, and affected people returning from neighboring Comoros. Concerning the risk of the epidemic spreading in mainland France, Frédéric Valletoux, Minister of Health, was reassuring: “It should be remembered that cholera, when it is treated, that is to say with antibiotic treatment, has a mortality rate which is very low at around 1.5%. We are really dealing with a disease which, when well managed, [on s’en sort] after a few days”he indicated in an interview given to TF1.
Hygiene measures to prevent the risk of cholera
Cholera is transmitted mainly by hands. “A sick person will (following a trip to the toilet in general) carry bacteria on their hands and transmit them: either directly by touching another person (…) or indirectly by touching an object”, noted the ARS in its booklet of recommendations and actions to follow. To prevent the risk of contamination, it is therefore recommended to wash your hands regularly, particularly after using the toilet, and to drink only potable water.