Cholera, Prevention and Control, second edition
The incubation period is usually from few hours(12) to 5 days usually between 2-3 days for a person to show symptoms after ingesting contaminated food or water. Cholera affects both children and adults(children and elderly are most vulnerable though) and can kill within hours if untreated. Most people infected with the V. cholerae do not develop symptoms, though the bacteria are present in their faces for 1-10 days after infection and are shed back into the environment, potentially infecting other people. Among people who develop symptoms, majority have wild or moderate symptoms while minority develop acute watery diarrhoea with severe dehydration. This can lead to death if left untreated. Mothers should seek prompt medical care.
The symptoms include sudden onset of water diarrhoea, up to 1 liter per hour. The diarrhea has a "rice-water" appearance, where the stool looks like water with flecks of rice in it and has a fishy odour usually not associated with abdominal pain and colic. There is nausea and vomiting, rapid heart rate, dry skin, dry mucus membranes or dry mouth, excessive thirst, sunken eyes, unusual sleepiness or tiredness, low urine output, abdominal cramps and leg cramps from hypokalemia.
A multi-faced approach is key to the prevention and control of Cholera and death reduction. This includes a combination of:
1) Integrated disease surveillance system; that includes feedback at local level and information sharing at global level.
2) Water and sanitation intervention; that includes access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation with proper drainage and sewage system in place.
3) Hygiene and social mobilization; involves heth education campaigns adapted to local culture and beliefs which should promote the adoption of appropriate hygiene practices such as hand-washing with soap, safe preparation and storage of food and safe disposal of the faeces of the children.
4) The treatment of cholera entails use of oral rehydration solutions(ORS) basically, the WHO/UNICEF has ORS standard treatment guidelines for various degree of dehydration. Patients can so be treated with antibiotics and oral cholera vaccines, though patients can be given appropriate antibiotics to diminish the duration of diarrhea and to shorten the amount and duration of V. cholerae excretion in their stool, mass administration of anti-biotics is not recommended.
5) Currently, there are 3 WHO pre-qualified oral cholera vaccines; all 3 vaccines require 2 doses for full protection. Concurrent disinfection of stools, fomites, house, linen, clothing etc should be carried out especially in the camps and other settings such as our homes/households by mother's as in addition to the provision of portable drinking water by the authority, there is need for good personal hygiene and sanitation in these camps, households and homes so as to reduce most preventable diseases and harmful health conditions especially suffered by mothers and children who bear the most burden.
If you ever suspect a cholera person, please see your doctor immediately.
The symptoms include sudden onset of water diarrhoea, up to 1 liter per hour. The diarrhea has a "rice-water" appearance, where the stool looks like water with flecks of rice in it and has a fishy odour usually not associated with abdominal pain and colic. There is nausea and vomiting, rapid heart rate, dry skin, dry mucus membranes or dry mouth, excessive thirst, sunken eyes, unusual sleepiness or tiredness, low urine output, abdominal cramps and leg cramps from hypokalemia.
A multi-faced approach is key to the prevention and control of Cholera and death reduction. This includes a combination of:
1) Integrated disease surveillance system; that includes feedback at local level and information sharing at global level.
2) Water and sanitation intervention; that includes access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation with proper drainage and sewage system in place.
3) Hygiene and social mobilization; involves heth education campaigns adapted to local culture and beliefs which should promote the adoption of appropriate hygiene practices such as hand-washing with soap, safe preparation and storage of food and safe disposal of the faeces of the children.
4) The treatment of cholera entails use of oral rehydration solutions(ORS) basically, the WHO/UNICEF has ORS standard treatment guidelines for various degree of dehydration. Patients can so be treated with antibiotics and oral cholera vaccines, though patients can be given appropriate antibiotics to diminish the duration of diarrhea and to shorten the amount and duration of V. cholerae excretion in their stool, mass administration of anti-biotics is not recommended.
5) Currently, there are 3 WHO pre-qualified oral cholera vaccines; all 3 vaccines require 2 doses for full protection. Concurrent disinfection of stools, fomites, house, linen, clothing etc should be carried out especially in the camps and other settings such as our homes/households by mother's as in addition to the provision of portable drinking water by the authority, there is need for good personal hygiene and sanitation in these camps, households and homes so as to reduce most preventable diseases and harmful health conditions especially suffered by mothers and children who bear the most burden.
If you ever suspect a cholera person, please see your doctor immediately.
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