A nurse inserts an intravenous needle into the patient to infuse a re-hydration fluid.

Acute dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhoea are the main causes of death in cholera patients. Direct intravenous re-hydration and drinking oral re-hydration salt solutions are crucial in fighting dehydration.

The ICRC has supplied some 3,250 litres of intravenous fluids, 1,500 packs of oral re-hydration salts, 10,000 antibiotic tablets, other medical materials and protective garments to the health authorities in Makonde district to help treat cholera patients and control the spread of the disease.