Public Service Health Announcement This message is for adults 18 years and above. Living in rural areas of Benin State Nigeria, Africa. Cholera is real! Cholera is preventable! Cholera Kills!!!

Objectives Define cholera Water supply and cholera Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Prevention conclusion

What is Cholera? It is an acute bacterial infection of the small intestine. It is caused by the bacterium vibrio cholerea. Incubation period of pathogen is 2 hours to 5 days. pathogen can stay in human feces for 7 to 14 days.

Vibro Cholerae Image of Disease causative agent

Who is affected? Cholera affects both children and adults. Malnourished children, those with HIV and Low immunity to infection are at higher risk of death from the disease. According to World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated three to five million cases of the disease is reported annually with 100,000 to 120,000 deaths (WHO, 2014).

How is cholera transmitted Through drinking of water contaminated with infected feces Eating food contaminated with infected feces.

Water supply and cholera Rain water that collects in lakes, rivers, reservoirs, streams and ponds is the main source of drinking water supply in this community. Everyone depend on the same water sources for drinking, bathing, washing and disposal of fecal waste. This water supply lacks adequate drainage, and water processing methods like in America. This promotes the growth of pathogens, and spread of water-borne diseases such as cholera.

Symptoms of cholera profuse watery diarrhea vomiting rapid heart rate loss of skin elasticity dry mucous membranes hypotension thirst muscle cramps restlessness or irritability

Diagnosis Laboratory test of cultured stool sample or rectal swap. Thiosulfate citrate bile salts sucrose (TCBS) agar,is the selective agar medium of choice for isolating and identifying Vibro cholerae O1. Culture takes 18 to 24 hours. yellow colonies of vibro bacterium with opaque centers on the agar is a positive test for cholera. Rapid cholera dipstick tests is also useful in emergency situations.

Definitive cholera test yellow colonies of vibro cholerae bacterium

treatment Oral or intravenous replacement of fluids and electrolytes Zinc therapy especially for children Antibiotics therapy Oral cholera vaccine

Preventive measures Wash hands with soap and water after defecating, and before eating. Wash fruits and vegetables before eating. Refrain from open defecation behaviors. Boil or filter surface water before drinking.

conclusion Poor hygiene, lack of proper sanitation and disruption in water supply, result in mixing of drinking water with infected feces, which increases the risk of cholera. Good hand washing practices and adequate sanitation will prevent the spread of cholera.

References World Health Organization (2015); Prevention and control of cholera outbreaks: WHO policy and recommendations. Retrieved from World Health Organization (2014). Cholera. Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014). Laboratory Methods for the Diagnosis of Vibrio cholera. Retrieved from of-Vibrio- cholerae-fhttp:// of-Vibrio- cholerae-f Sasaki S., Suzuki H., Fujino Y., Kimura Y., and Cheelo M.(2009): Impact of drainage networks on cholera outbreaks in Lusaka, Zambia. Retrieved from Images Retrieved from http. Nyambedha O., Sundaram S., Christian L., Chaignat Claire-Lise., Hutubessy R., and Weiss G.,(2013). Distinguishing social and cultural features of cholera in urban and rural areas of Western Kenya: Implications for public health. Retrieved from