By Lee Han-soo
A second cholera patient has been confirmed in Korea, raising concerns of mass infection.
The first cholera patient was confirmed in Gwangju early this month. It was the first outbreak of the deadly disease on Korean soil in 15 years.
The second patient has been identified as a woman, 73, in Geoje city, South Gyeongsang Province. She was hospitalized on Aug. 13 after suffering diarrhea and abdominal pain, the disease’s typical symptoms.
Experts have not excluded the possibility of mass infection but said it is unlikely because Korea has more advanced water and sewerage systems than developing countries, where the disease a problem, according to Yonhap news agency.
Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) has guidelines to prevent cholera. These include: restaurants should provide clean and safe water; people should avoid contaminated food and consume boiled water and cooked food; and people should maintain clean personal hygiene and wash their hands for at least 30 seconds after using the bathroom or preparing food.
Cholera symptoms include vomiting and muscle cramps. Diarrhea from the disease can cause severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, which can lead to death.