Bilbeisi confirms: National plan in place to handle cholera cases

AMMAN — A national response plan has been set up to ensure readiness for cholera outbreaks, Adviser for epidemiological affairs at the Prime Ministry Adel Bilbeisi said on Sunday.

“Jordan has recently purchased rapid tests for the monitoring and quick detection of cholera cases,” Bilbeisi told The Jordan Times, adding that laboratory testing for cholera usually takes between 48 and 72 hours, while the rapid test needs around 10-15 minutes to confirm the disease.

Bilbeisi added that the rapid test shows high sensitivity, with an accuracy of 98 per cent, in addition to being a useful tool to ensure a timely national response.

As part of the national plan, the Ministry of Health, the National Centre for Security and Crisis Management, the Jordanian National Centre for Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases Control and other relevant authorities carry out various prevention and reaction procedures, said the adviser.

Bilbeisi said that routine reporting processes are incorporated within the overall preventative measures, and that around 25 per cent of diarrheal cases that make it to hospitals and health centres are tested for cholera.

“Now there is stricter control on drinking water quality, while ensuring all people have access to safe drinking water,” he added.

The adviser also revealed that treatment protocols have been prepared, and certain hospitals have been selected to treat cholera cases that have been provided with the necessary supplies.

“The Kingdom has not recorded any cholera cases since 1981. But, there are existing cases in Lebanon and Syria,” he stated.

The national plan also concentrates on the Kingdom’s refugee camps, as most cholera cases in neighbouring countries have been found in refugee settings.

Cholera is a major health problem that usually occurs in areas with inadequate health monitoring systems, he said.