The Health Education Manager in the Ministry of Health and Sanitation has cautioned members of the public on the dangers of cholera. On Monday, Lansana Conteh said, as the rains have started, members of the public should not forget and be reminded to adhere to infection, prevention and control (IPC) measures to avoid cholera.
Conteh said, “People fall victim to cholera as a result of being stubborn and not wanting to adhere to simple health tips such as hand washing after using the toilet or before eating a meal or fruit, to help them stay healthy, and this is the season when the risk of outbreak is high.” Cholera transmission is closely linked to inadequate access to clean water and sanitation facilities.
According to the WHO, cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Researchers have estimated that every year there are roughly 1.3 to 4.0 million cases, and up to 143,000 deaths worldwide due to cholera. Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease that can kill within hours if left untreated.
The major symptom of cholera is that it can cause severe acute watery diarrhea and dehydration. It takes between 12 hours and 5 days for a person to show symptoms after ingesting contaminated food or water. Most people infected with cholera do not develop any symptoms, although the bacteria are present in their faeces for 1-10 days after infection and are shed back into the environment, potentially infecting other people. Most of those infected will have no or mild symptoms, and can be successfully treated with oral rehydration solution. Severe cases will need rapid treatment with intravenous fluids and antibiotics.
Conteh disclosed that workers in all health facilities are on alert for cholera and any other water borne disease.
He said the recent cleaning exercise will reduce the risk of malaria and cholera but also advised the public desist from buying exposed food from the street as well as eating fruits without proper washing, especially mangos. He said all foods should be properly cooked and people should always remember to drink clean and safe water from a safe source and avoid using unsafe water from streams.
The provision of safe water and sanitation is critical to control the transmission of cholera and other waterborne diseases.
The long-term solution for cholera control, which would help with all diseases spread by the fecal-oral route, is basic but not easy – economic development and universal access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.
By Ade Campbell
Tuesday May 23, 2017.
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