Khaberni - The medical authorities in the United Kingdom recorded the death of an eighty-year-old man suspected of contracting cholera, in an incident considered the first of its kind that the country has witnessed in nearly 125 years.
The elderly man passed away inside "George Eliot" Hospital in Nuneaton city, where his health condition rapidly deteriorated after feeling fatigue about a week ago at his home.
Case details and official medical diagnosis
The UK Health Security Agency confirmed that the deceased was infected with a type of bacteria known as "non-toxigenic cholera vibrios," according to "Daily Mail."
The patient was transferred to the hospital after a severe decline in his vital functions, and doctors informed his family last Sunday that his condition was extremely critical, and he continued to fight the disease until he passed away in the presence of his family members.
Local reports indicated that the deceased had not left the country recently, raising questions about the source of the infection, especially since he was living a quiet life with his younger son.
The nature of the disease and its history in the United Kingdom
Cholera is caused by an intestinal infection due to the bacteria "Vibrio cholerae" resulting from consuming contaminated food or water, and its incubation period ranges from one day to five days.
The infection leads to severe watery diarrhea and vomiting, which causes severe dehydration that can lead to death if the patient does not receive immediate treatment.
It is worth mentioning that cholera caused the death of thousands during the Victorian era between 1831 and 1865, but it completely disappeared thanks to the improvement of sanitary facilities and the availability of clean drinking water, with the last recorded death case in Britain dating back to 1901.
Prevention measures and health protocol
Prevention of cholera primarily relies on strict personal hygiene, as the disease does not transmit through direct contact such as coughing or sneezing, but rather through contaminated water.
Medical recommendations emphasize the importance of thoroughly washing hands with soap and water, and using boiled water for drinking and food preparation.
The main treatment for those infected involves replenishing lost fluids through oral rehydration solutions to prevent total physical collapse due to the rapid loss of essential salts and water.
