Over 100,000 people die from cholera each year.
And yet with treatment, at least 99% would survive.
So what is cholera and why are people still dying from it if it can be treated?
Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection that is caused by ingesting dirty water or food contaminated by a nasty bacterium called Vibrio cholerae.
Between 12 hours and 5 days after ingesting the contaminated food or water, the symptoms kick in.
For most people, maybe up to 4 million a year, the diarrhea is mild and treatable.
Clean water and rehydration sachets do the trick.
So make sure the patient stays hydrated.
It's a simple and low-cost treatment.
More severe cases might need antibiotics and intravenous fluids to keep control of the dehydration.
