What is Cholera and how does it spread?
Cholera is a waterborne bacterial infection due to Vibrio cholerae that is transmitted from one infected person to another due to contaminated water or food, especially seafood. Once ingested, the bacteria multiply within the small intestine and produces the cholera toxins that are responsible for the symptoms of severe watery diarrhea also called “rice water loose stools” and severe dehydration. The rapid loss of fluids and electrolytes if not replaced quickly can cause death. The spread can be rapid especially when there is limited clean water supply and unsanitary conditions reaching epidemic proportions very quickly.
How to prevent from Cholera?
Cholera prevention is of utmost importance and requires a multi-pronged approach. The focus must be on improving personal hygiene and ensuring access to clean potable water. It is important to ensure there are adequate sanitation practices to avoid contamination of sewage and safe water is provided at all times. Proper cooking and safe handling of seafood is recommended. In general, adequate personal hygiene must be maintained at all times – hand washing with soap after toilet and before eating food.
Once an outbreak is identified, the rapid spread must be contained aggressively through regular surveillance and prevention methods. The main treatment of Cholera is timely rehydration through ORS (oral rehydration solution) or intravenous rehydration to replace the rapid fluid and electrolyte loss. Antibiotics help in severe cases. Children and the elderly are vulnerable to severe dehydration, complications, and even death, and hence warrant prompt recognition and treatment.
