What do you know about cholera?
▪Cholera is a disease caused by a bacteria called Vibrio Cholera
▪ Cholera causes diarrhoea (frequent passing of watery faeces) and vomiting
▪ Cholera can cause death from dehydration (the loss of water and salt from the body) within hours if not treated
How can I get cholera?
Cholera germs are found in the faeces of infected people
▪Cholera is spread when faeces from an infected person get into the water people drink or the food people eat
▪From flies that carry the cholera germs to foods and cooking surfaces: cooking utensil (pots, saucepans, etc)
How can I prevent cholera?
▪Drink and use safe water.
▪Let your water boil for at least one minute to make it safe to drink
▪It is also safe to drink bottled water and canned drinks with unbroken seals
▪Always store your treated water in a clean covered container
▪Use safe water to brush your teeth, wash and prepare food
▪Clean food preparation areas and cooking utensils with soap and safe water
▪Piped water sources and sachet water may not be safe and should be boiled
Wash your hands often with soap under safe running water
▪After using the toilet facility
▪Before you eat or prepare food
▪Before eating or before feeding your baby
▪Before serving meals
▪After playing
▪If no soap is available, scrub hands often with ash and rinse with safe running water
Use toilet facility or bury your faeces;
▪Do not defecate in the open
▪Clean toilet and surfaces contaminated with faeces with disinfectant
Buy and eat only hot food.
▪Wash fruits well with safe water before eating
▪Wash vegetables well before preparing food
▪Eat food that is served hot and free from dust, flies and dirt
▪Cover food always
What do I do if I have diarrhoea?
▪Start taking Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) immediately; it can save your life
▪Report immediately to a nearby health facility
▪Continue to drink ORS whiles you travel to get treatment
▪If ORS is not available, drink homemade fluids like mashed kenkey, mashed TZ, rice water or coconut water
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