1. What is Cholera?
Cholera is a diarrhoeal disease caused by a germ. The germ is found mostly in faeces and it spreads when a person drinks water or eats food that is contaminated with the cholera germ.
2. What are the symptoms and signs of cholera?
\u2022 Onset of cholera is sudden
\u2022 Diarrhoea, which is profuse, painless and watery
\u2022 Vomiting may occur
\u2022 Patients are thirsty, tired and weak
\u2022 Loss of body fluid occurs rapidly and that may lead to death<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. How is Cholera Transmitted?
The cholera germ is commonly spread by, contaminated fingers\/hands, flies, water and food. Cholera transmission is from faecal matter to the mouth through the ingestion of:
\u2022 Water contaminated with faeces, vomitus of patients and to lesser extent faeces of carriers
\u2022 Contaminated foods (milk, cooked rice, beans, eggs seafood etc.)
\u2022 Fruits and vegetables \u2013 especially those irrigated with waste-water (sewerage garden) and when contaminated fruits and vegetables are eaten raw.
4. What are the sources of contamination?
\u2022 Hands and bodies of asymptomatic cholera patients\/carriers.
\u2022 Contaminated articles (buckets, cups, cloths and clothes etc.)
5. Prevention
Protect yourself from getting cholera by observing the following:
\u2752 Wash your hands with soap under safe running water before eating, cooking or after visiting the toilet
\u2752 Drink safe water
\u2752 Eat hot food and avoid cold food
\u2752 Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating
\u2752 Food handlers should wash their cups, plates and cutlery sets with soap and safe water regularly before use
\u2752 Food handlers should cover food for sale.
\u2752 People with acute diarrhea should start drinking ORS and immediately visit the nearest health facility<\/p>\n\n\n\n