Health Secretary honours cholera pioneer

Dr John Snow, the man who discovered the link between contaminated water and the spread of cholera.

On 16 June 2008, Health secretary Alan Johnson is leading a tribute to the pioneering scientist who discovered that water, not air, carries cholera.

WaterAid is marking the 150th anniversary of the death of Dr John Snow, the man who discovered the link between contaminated water and the spread of cholera with the unveiling of a special Chemical Landmark blue plaque at the pub, awarded by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), who are jointly celebrating Dr Snow's great scientific discovery.

Anaesthetist John Snow identified, using an innovative mapping method, the pattern of cholera deaths in the capital, subsequently disabling a water pump in Soho which he believed, correctly, to have harboured cholera.

The cabinet minister will be joined by news anchorman Jon Snow and other 'Snows' for the celebration at the John Snow pub in Soho, which stands on the spot where the deadly water pump poisoned the population before its handle was removed at the direction of Snow.

Water will be served to all guests wishing to honour the man who played an historic role in the history of clean water.

WaterAid's chair, Jeremy Pelczer: "WaterAid is keen to celebrate the life of Doctor Snow and his incredible foresight and courage in challenging the perceived thinking on cholera and for advocating clean water and better sanitation in London and the UK. The difference that Snow’s discovery made to public health in the UK was immense; it’s about time the rest of the world started to benefit from Snow’s work, given that 5,000 children die every day in developing countries from water-related diseases like cholera."

RSC Chemical Landmark plaques are used to mark locations at which remarkable scientific achievements have been undertaken.

For more information, please contact Charlotte Godber on 020 7793 4909; 07876 330351 or email charlottegodber@wateraid.org.