Alarming outbreak of cholera in the Central African Republic begins to subside

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection, linked to consuming contaminated drinking water or food, that causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting. Young children are especially vulnerable to death from dehydration. But with proper treatment, the death rate can be reduced to 1 per cent.

A cholera crisis coordination committee sprang into action. The committee was led by the Central African Ministry of Public Health, Population and Fight against HIV. It also included UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the international NGOs Médecins Sans Frontières and Action Contre la Faim, as well as other partners.