Health officials in Kazakhstan have identified a case of cholera in a citizen of Kyrgyzstan who arrived in Almaty on an Air Astana flight from Delhi. The Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan reported that the Kyrgyzstani woman was flying back home via Almaty when she was suspected of having an infectious disease. Subsequent tests confirmed that she had cholera.
Medical professionals have identified close contacts of the passenger and have ordered them to undergo laboratory testing. The infected individual and those who came into contact with her have been hospitalized in the city's infectious disease ward. The aircraft has undergone disinfection procedures.
Doctors conducted informational sessions among the airplane passengers about the symptoms of cholera and preventive measures, advising them to seek medical help immediately if symptoms appear. The timely detection and containment of the infection by epidemiological services prevented the spread of cholera within the country, according to the Ministry of Health.
Cholera is an acute infectious disease transmitted through the fecal-oral route, caused by cholera vibrios. It is characterized by symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, leading to dehydration if left untreated. Without proper treatment, cholera can be fatal.
Every year, between 1.3 to 4 million people worldwide are affected by cholera, with fatalities ranging from 21,000 to 143,000.
