CHOLERA- CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS

CHOLERA- CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS

Cholera is an infectious disease that causes severe watery diarrhea, which can lead
to dehydration and even death if untreated. It is caused by eating food or drinking
water contaminated with a bacterium called Vibrio cholera.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease that can kill within hours if left untreated.
The provision of safe water and sanitation is critical to control the transmission of
cholera and other waterborne diseases. All people (visitors or residents) in areas
where cholera is occurring or has occurred should be aware of the basic cholera
facts and follow these five basic cholera prevention steps to protect themselves
and their families. The risk for cholera is very low for people visiting areas with
epidemic cholera.

Vibrio cholera, the bacterium that causes cholera, is usually found in food or water
contaminated by feces from a person with the infection. Common sources include:

 Municipal water supplies
 Ice made from municipal water
 Foods and drinks sold by street vendors
 Vegetables are grown with water containing human wastes
 Raw or undercooked fish and seafood caught in waters polluted with sewage

When a person consumes the contaminated food or water, the bacteria release a
the toxin in the intestines that produces severe diarrhea. It is not likely you will catch
cholera just from casual contact with an infected person.
Here are some simple precautions which should be observed, to contract the
disease and make it unlikely to occur.

 Drink and use safe water
 Wash your hands with soap and water
 Make sure you have a proper and clean sewage system in the area around
you
 Clean up safely especially the places like the bathroom and kitchen

A multifaceted approach is key to control cholera and to reduce deaths. A
combination of surveillance, water, sanitation and hygiene, social mobilization,
treatment, and oral cholera vaccines are used.