Warning about cholera suspicion in Greece

Health authorities urge increased caution in the face of cholera suspected Kos
Following the cholera suspicion on a 79-year-old Dutch traveler on the island of Kos, the Greek health authorities called on the public on Friday for increased health care. The patient was transferred to an Athens hospital for further testing, according to the news agency Reuters. Given the influx of thousands of migrants and refugees from countries such as Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, which come from the Turkish Aegean coast to Kos and the importance of the island as a tourist destination, the suspected case of cholera is taken very seriously by the authorities.

The population is being called on the Greek health authorities on the grounds of suspected cholera in the Dutch tourist to increased hygiene measures. Although the infectious disease in the patient is not yet clearly confirmed and possibly the symptoms go back only to a delayed gastroenteritis, but the authorities are on alert. The risk of spreading the contagious disease must be prevented at all costs.

With suspicion of cholera, a 79-year-old Dutchman was admitted to an Athens hospital. (Image: NicoLeHe / pixelio.de)

Increased risk of cholera outbreak
As a tourist destination and point of contact for migrants from the Middle East and Asia, Kos is currently at particular risk. A spread of cholera could quickly draw wide circles here. After a 79-year-old Dutchman with typical cholera symptoms, such as diarrhea and high fever, was transferred from Kos to an Athens hospital for treatment, the health authorities called for increased safety measures. Regular hand washing and compliance with hygiene regulations before eating food and water should be strictly followed. Perhaps the infectious disease had arrived with the influx of people to Kos. For example, in Iraq in September, there was the first major outbreak of cholera since 2012, with at least 121 cases.

Transmission by contaminated water and food
The last confirmed cholera case in Greece was recorded in 1993, the last in 1986, according to the news agency Reuters, citing World Health Organization (WHO) data. Transmission of the infectious disease usually takes place through contaminated water and food, which, if left untreated, threatens death within a few hours due to dehydration and kidney failure. In particular, children are increasingly at risk, but can basically infect people of all ages. (Fp)