http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/05/world/africa/05kenya.html
This article, “Cholera Epidemic Infects Thousands in Kenya,” by Jeffrey Gettleman was provided by the New York Times on December 4, 2009 and discusses the recent outbreak of Cholera in Kenya. In the month of November alone, there were nearly 5,000 cases of Cholera and over 100 deaths due to the disease reported throughout the African nation of Kenya. The Kenyan government does not hesitate to label the current outbreak as “one of the worst outbreaks in a decade.” Cholera, a disease that is unfamiliar to many Americans due to its low infection rate in developed nations, is generally spread by water that is contaminated with bacteria. Recently, Kenya has been suffering crippling draughts, forcing its people to drink this polluted water as their only chance at survival. As a result, the highly contagious intestinal infection is sweeping Kenya at an alarming rate.
The author of this article appears to think that it is a shame that people are dying of Cholera, a fairly preventable disease, in the 21st Century. Gettlemen thinks that the Kenyan government needs to be more involved in the affairs of its people, “The ministry says it urgently needs $7.5 million for medicine and testing kits. Still, many people have complained that the government has responded too slowly.” The author chooses this quote to show his belief that there are ways to prevent the rapid spread of Cholera in this day and age. Gettlemen goes on to quote an editorial from a Kenyan newspaper to show that others agree that precautionary measures can and should be taken to prevent Cholera. Gettlemen is currently the East Africa bureau chief of the New York Times, Kenya being one of his most studies nations. Prior to his post at the New York Times, he held positions with the Los Angeles Times and the St. Petersburg Times. The author provides an adequate amount of information, as he gives mortality and morbidity rates, as well as a direct quote from a Kenyan newspaper. The article is certainly informative, and gets the point across quickly and coherently.
In Epi-D, we discussed the spread of disease as well as its globalization. We talked about water being a major mode of transmission of disease, since everyone needs water for survival and many pathogens call it home if it is not clean. We also discussed morbidity and mortality rates in class, and both are provided in the article. I find this article shocking, as many Americans tend to forget about the threat and reality of Cholera, as most Americans have access to clean water. However, looking back to the Epidemic Scorecard we received in class, Diarrheal Diseases (including cholera) make up an alarmingly large portion of the card, indicating their global threat to human health. I think it is important to remember that even though a disease, such as Cholera, may not have existed in epidemic form in American for hundreds of years, chances are that it still affects people elsewhere in the world.
This is a very interesting article. I liked it because it makes something, that some people don't even know what it is become real. To live in the United States makes us very lucky and also makes us oblivious to diseases that are effecting a huge population. We think diseases like cholera don't even exists any more, when they are really in full force in third world countries.I find it interesting that the government hasn't done anything to really help the people yet. To die from a disease easily treated in other countries is not good. I think that the Kenyan government should start helping immediately because they must be embarrassed. However I would like to learn more about how cholera effects other places in the world. I imagine that many or even most of the third world countries suffer from cholera, and other diseases caused by unclean water.
ReplyDeletePeople often lose sight of what's going on in other countries especially when we are dealing with our own problems such as the failing economy and how the swine flu is affecting us in the U.S. But this article reminds us that there are diseases affecting other countries that are easily cured here, and that other countries need our help. As Gracie said, Americans often think that diseases such as cholera no longer exist, but that is only because we are scientifically advanced and are able to treat this disease very quickly and easily. What we forget is that other countries do not have the same advances. I believe that not only the Kenyan government, but also the U.S. government needs to look into the issue of cholera in Kenya and stop the unnecessary deaths.
ReplyDeleteI think Emily did a great job connecting what we have done in the classroom to the article she chose. It was very interesting and I enjoyed reading her summary and analysis.
I agree with what both Gracie and Natalie have said in response. I also found this to be an interesting article as it informs us of what is going on in another part of the world and what we don't really hear about. It is important that we understand and see what is going on in other countries because we often times forget that they may not have as much as we do. This article was a good way to inform us that diseases that may not occur in one place can occur in another. Sometimes people may not realize how fortunate we are, and how some diseases that can be easily treated in some places are a real problem somewhere else. I think that the Kenyan government should be acting on behalf of the deaths occuring from this disease and, like Natalie said, the U.S government should try to help.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this article because it opened my eyes to a disease that is affecting other countries, especially where people are much worse off than we are. I also liked this article because I did not know much about Cholera since it is very rare in the United States. This article made me realize that we are lucky enough to be able to avoid deadly diseases such as Cholera. I think it is a shame that this is an easily preventable disease yet people are dying from it daily in Kenya. The Kenyan government needs to be able to detect these problems within their country and be able to help their people sooner, before it is too late. In the grand scheme of things, $7.5 million is not much money to be spent when you think of all the innocent lives it will save. It is sad that these people do not have adequate water supplies and are therefore becoming ill. Something needs to be done in order to help them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all above it is very important to note and recognize as Americans third world countries troubles. To be honest we as Americans live such a life we(Or at least I) take for granted. It is very unfortunate that Kenya is an unstable country and that these kenyans are suffering from a disease that to be honest should not be a factor in the world of modern medecine. The Kenyan government is probably at fault, but at the same time the majority of African countries struggle economically as well recieve millions of refugee's from other countries, both is the case in Kenya. Honstly this is just unfortunate and I really think it gives us a small insight in the troubles of third world counties.
ReplyDeleteThe Cholera outbreak in Kenya is comparable to the H1N1 epidemic in the United States. The death rates of the diseases have been low compared to the number of infections. Also, a large portion of both countries are being left untreated and untested for the disease. Both diseases are very preventable, but thousands have and will continue to be infected. The difference, though, is that the Kenya's government seems to be lacking in effort to prevent the disease, while the US is going all out to stop the H1N1 epidemic.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Natalie's statement that Americans often forget that there are problems outside of the domestic arena. The United States chooses to hlep many nations in need, and Kenya is probably one of them. It is surprising to me that the US has not made any effort, or at least not any effort mentioned in the article, to stop the spread of this easily treatable disease. $7.5 million, although a lot of money, is not a lot in the scheme of all the money our government allocates to outreach programs. Since this issue could very simply be resolved with the help of the US, efforts should definitely be taken to ensure that we get involved.
ReplyDeleteI appreciated Emily's thorough connection of the article to what we have discussed in class. Gloabalization is an extremely important factor in the spread of disease, and it was important that her blog entry recognized the positive role globalization could plan in stopping this outbreak. Emily's analysis of the author was very effective, and helped me to be confident in his ability to speak on the subject of the Cholera outbreak.
I found this very interesting and I am glad read it because it really shows how sometimes American's don't know enough about what it going on in the rest of the world. I had no idea of the outbreaks in Kenya. I think that even though Cholera is a disgusting disease it is really interesting to read about.
ReplyDeleteI am very interested to see if the United States will do anything to aid Kenya in its efforts to fight the disease. As Tim and the person above mentioned, I am also surprised that the United States has not made any large efforts to help out in Kenya. Hopefully we can pay some attention to this terrible disease and not focus every little bit of our attention on the Swine Flu.