Rising Cholera Deaths and Preventive Measures – Dr. Aliu Yakubu

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease that can lead to death as a result of severe dehydration. Data from NCDC as of August 2021 shows that 816 death had been recorded with over 30 thousand cases. There is a need to educate the populace about the prevention and treatment of this disease.

Cholera is a water-borne disease characterised by acute onset of profuse diarrhoea resulting from the ingestion of contaminated food and water with the organisms( Vibro cholera).

Most people with the infection don’t show any signs or symptoms but can pass the organism in their faeces for up to 10days constituting a source of infection for others.

The majority with symptoms have mild to moderate infections while few can develop severe infections.

Risk factors

*Poor hand hygiene

*Poor sanitation.

*Drinking of unsafe water

*Consumption of contaminated food.

*Carrier of those with cholera.

Treatment

Prompt rehydration with ORS is key to replace lost fluid and electrolytes. People with severe dehydration will benefit from intravenous fluid administration and appropriate antibiotics. Mass usage of antibiotics is not recommended.

Prevention.

*Maintaining good personal hygiene by ensuring proper handwashing after touching dirt.

*Proper waste and refuse disposal by avoiding open detection and indiscriminate refuse to dump.

*Food should be well-cooked and ensure that vegetables and fruit are washed very well before consumption

*Drinking of clean water.

*Suspected cases of cholera should be taken to the nearest hospital.

*Vaccination with oral Cholera vaccine

Cholera infection is becoming a threat to Nigeria populace, a multifaceted approach including good sanitation and hygiene, clean water and prompt treatment.

Reference

Updated global burden of cholera in endemic countries.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4455997/

Cholera: WHO fact -sheet

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cholera

NCDC news

https://ncdc.gov.ng/news/337/cholera-in-nigeria%3A-urgent-call-to-strengthen-water%2C-sanitation-and-hygiene-%28wash%29