The Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of Tajikistan (MoHSPP) and Rospotrebnadzor (the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing of the Russian Federation) will work together to combat the risks of spread of cholera in Tajikistan, an official source within a MoHSPP told Asia-Plus in an interview.
“Despite the fact that cholera has not been registered in the country, the Health Ministry has turned to Rospotrebnadzor for assistance in organizing preventive monitoring of this disease as well as in increasing preparedness for possible complications of the epidemiological situation, including in border areas,” the source said.
“It is known that many cholera patients were reported in Afghanistan last year; our country borders Afghanistan, and therefore, there is a possibility of the disease entering our country,” noted the source. “Since cross-border trade with this country is active, these measures are taken to prevent the disease.”
According to him, Russian specialists will arrived in Tajikistan after Navrouz festival for the joint work, which includes training of specialized specialists.
“The parties have agreed upon the joint work, which includes training of Tajik laboratory technicians, epidemiologists and infectious disease specialists, improvement of Tajikistan’s laboratory capabilities, as well as conducting joint research and exercises,” the source added.
Specialists from the Volgograd Research Anti-Plague Institute, the Rostov-on-Don Research Anti-Plague Institute, the Russian Research Anti-Plague Institute “Microbe” and the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology will participate together with Tajik specialists in that joint work.
It is to be noted that negotiations on this subject took place between Rospotrebnadzor head Anna Popova and Tajik Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection of the Population Abdukholiq Amirzoda via videoconferencing on March 15.
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine by some strains of the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Symptoms may range from none, to mild, to severe. The classic symptom is large amounts of watery diarrhea lasting a few days. Vomiting and muscle cramps may also occur. Diarrhea can be so severe that it leads within hours to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. This may result in sunken eyes, cold skin, decreased skin elasticity, and wrinkling of the hands and feet. Dehydration can cause the skin to turn bluish. Symptoms start two hours to five days after exposure.
Cholera is caused by a number of types of Vibrio cholerae, with some types producing more severe disease than others. It is spread mostly by unsafe water and unsafe food that has been contaminated with human feces containing the bacteria. Undercooked shellfish is a common source. Humans are the only known host for the bacteria. Risk factors for the disease include poor sanitation, insufficient clean drinking water, and poverty. Cholera can be diagnosed by a stool test, or a rapid dipstick test, although the dipstick test is less accurate.
Prevention methods against cholera include improved sanitation and access to clean water. Cholera vaccines that are given by mouth provide reasonable protection for about six months, and confer the added benefit of protecting against another type of diarrhea caused by E. coli. In 2017 the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a single-dose, live, oral cholera vaccine called Vaxchora for adults aged 18–64 who are travelling to an area of active cholera transmission. It offers limited protection to young children. People who survive an episode of cholera have long-lasting immunity for at least three years (the period tested).
