10 things you need to know about Cholera | WestMac Media

1. What is Cholera? 

• Cholera is an intestinal infection characterized by profuse watery diarrhea of sudden onset. 

2. Cause of cholera. 

• A bacterium known as Vibrio cholerae. 

3. Mode of transmission. 

• Feco-oral transmission i.e. mainly ingestion of water or food contaminated with faeces of an infected person;

• Fingers, flies, faeces and fruits. 

4. Incubation period. 

• One may start having symptoms within, as early as, 2 hours of infection. 

5. Signs & symptoms 

• Profuse watery diarrhea which can be very frequent, looks like water from boiled rice; 

• Vomiting; 

• Abdominal cramps; 

• Dehydration. 

6. How can you protect yourself and your family? 

a. Drink safe water - mineral or boiled water. 

b. Do not eat outside home. 

c. Wash hands before eating or drinking. 

d. Wash hands after using the toilet.

e. Avoid gatherings. 

f. Disinfect water with chlorine. 

g. Wash fruits well and peel before eating. 

h. Disinfect toilets. 

i. Avoid flies at home. 

j. Eat only freshly cooked foods. 

k. Cut your nails. 

7. What to do in case you get infected. 

• Start oral rehydration salt (ORS). If ORS is unavailable to you, put 8 tea spoons of sugar and 1/2 tea spoon of salt in 1 liter of safe water and start drinking as your prepare to visit the nearest hospital ASAP. 

8. How do people die of cholera? 

• Dehydration leading to electrolyte imbalance and hypovolemic shock is the main cause of death. 

9. What is the good news? 

• Cholera is both preventable and treatable; 

• 75% of infected cases do not develop symptoms though they can spread the disease;

• 80% of cases will only need ORS to get better. 

10. Finally. 

• Take personal responsibility to stop the cholera outbreak in Lusaka. And be safe out there. We all have a role to play to stop this outbreak.