Though South Sudan’s Health Ministry has not declared an outbreak, cholera is in Juba with at least 10 confirmed cases so far. Below is information to help protect you and your family from the deadly disease:
What is cholera? Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease that can kill within hours if left untreated. Cholera is a spread through eating food or drinking water contaminated with faeces. Symptoms appear quickly, from two hours to five days after ingestion.
What are the symptoms? Cholera symptoms include passing of frequent, watery rice like stool with no smell, vomiting in some patients, thirst, and body weakness. People with low immunity – such as malnourished children or people living with HIV – are at a greater risk of death if infected.
What should I do if I have symptoms? Immediately report to a health facility. Cholera is an easily treatable disease but it can kill quickly if left untreated. Up to 80% of people can be treated successfully through prompt administration of oral rehydration salts, while very severely dehydrated patients require intravenous fluids and antibiotics. With proper treatment, fewer than 1% of cases are fatal.
How can I avoid cholera?
-Boil drinking water or treat with chlorine and store in a clean container
-Always wash hands with soap or ash and clean water before handling food, after using latrine, and after handling children’s faeces
-Cook food thoroughly and eat while still hot, don’t eat at places you are not sure of
-Always pour water from the storage container for drinking. Never dip the drinking cup into the storage container.
-Dispose all faeces, including children’s, in the latrine
-Wash fruits and vegetables with clean water before eating them.
-Observe personal hygiene and keep homes clean
-Take all sick people to the nearest health facilitiy immediately
-Breastfeed all babies below the age of 2 years.
Sources: World Health Organization, UNICEF, South Sudan Ministry of Health
Related:
Ministry of Health covering up cholera outbreak in Juba (21 Jun.)