Cholera Outbreak Makes Americans Glad They Don’t Live in Africa

Lagos—The major cholera outbreak that has ravaged the Nigerian city of Lagos and surrounding rural villages has many Americans feeling very glad they do not live in Africa. “I am glad I live in Erie, PA, and not in Lagos or one of its surrounding villages,” American Carl Neesbrum said. Neesbrum, reflecting the view of many Americans, said he is also very glad he and his three children are not victims of cholera, a water-borne bacteria that inflicts explosive diarrhea, paralyzation and, ultimately, death on its victims. When told that Africans are dying by the hundreds each day and that simple, anti-bacteria vaccinations for the outbreak are unaffordable to the impoverished victims there, Neesbrun added, “I think I will go to Best Buy today and purchase a program for my CD-ROM.”