What follows is a story about the collaboration between the Global Disease Eradication Fund (managed by KOICA), IVI, and our partners to protect the vulnerable from a deadly infectious disease. It connects our shared mission to make a positive difference in global public health with the importance of clean water, ahead of World Water Day. This is an English translation of the story presented by GDEF for the general public in Korea.
This is a story about the infectious disease cholera:
From Aug. 2017 – Feb. 2018, cholera infected 1,799 in Mozambique…
It was spreading like wildfire, and Korea’s helping hand put a stop to it through a mass vaccination campaign in the district of Cuamba.
The Global Disease Eradication Fund (GDEF) –raised by collecting 1,000 won from every international flight ticket, and managed by KOICA, along with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), provided assistance in that campaign to protect those 190,000+ people most at risk of cholera.
- What is cholera?
- It’s a water- and food-borne infectious disease.
- It’s part of a group of diseases (cholera, typhoid fever, and dysentery) that cause severe, potentially deadly, diarrhea.
- Symptoms of cholera
- Typically, the incubation period is 2-3 days, but symptoms can occur at any time ranging from six hours to 5 days after initial infection. If you have these symptoms after an overseas trip, please be sure to see a doctor ASAP:
- Abrupt diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and shock
- Please be extra careful to practice proper hygiene in countries and regions where cholera continues to be endemic.
- Source: KCDC
- Is cholera vaccination essential before overseas travel?
- Not always. Travelers can determine whether to be vaccinated after inquiring at their national center for disease control.
- Six good hygiene tips to prevent cholera:
- Wash hands for at least 30 seconds using hot water and soap
- Do not eat raw food
- Adequately boil water before using for drinking or cooking
- Be cautious of drinking water and drink only previously-boiled or bottled water
- Disinfect: Be sure to disinfect utensils before using and thoroughly wash and peel fruit and vegetables before consuming
- Do not cook or handle food if experiencing diarrheal symptoms
- Clean drinking water is essential in the prevention of water-borne infectious diseases. However, the clean water supply continues to decrease worldwide every year.
- March 22 has been designated by the UN as ‘World Water Day’.
- Please conserve this precious resource!
- The Global Disease Eradication Fund contributes to the prevention and eradication of infectious diseases in developing countries.
- Taking off for hope!
Your travel changes the world!
Global Disease Eradication Fund
- Read the original Korean story: