The prevention of cholera in the Bible

• Published in: Vaccine Vol. 37; no. 35; p. 4850
• Main Author: Mazokopakis, Elias E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 14.08.2019; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Bible; Cholera; Disease transmission; Economics, Medical; Epidemics; Food; Humans; Infections; Oral administration; Personal hygiene; Prevention; Purification; Sanitation; Viruses; Waterborne diseases; Prevention; Cholera; Bible
• ISSN: 0264-410X; 1873-2518
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.03.042

According to the authors, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure may be the more cost-effective solution for cholera control and prevention in the long-term when implemented properly. Since 1854 CE when Snow identified the water from the Broad Street pump as the source of the epidemic infection in Soho, London, it is known that cholera transmission is preventable through access to clean water, sanitation, and improved personal hygiene [2]. Because the Lord your God walks in the midst of your camp, to save you and to give up your enemies before you, therefore your camp must be holy, that he may not see anything indecent among you, and turn away from you” (Deuteronomy 23:12–14). Undoubtedly, this directive from God protected the Israelites from diseases transmitted through the fecal-oral route by water and food, such as cholera, although they did not know about the existence of microbes and viruses at that time. [...]washing the body played a crucial role in the life of the Israelites, considering that it was compulsory, and in many circumstances had been established as a means of purification (see Leviticus 15:1–33; Deuteronomy 23:11–12; Numbers 19:19).