Please let us be advised that we have a cholera outbreak in our nation of Zimbabwe, particularly Harare and Chitungwiza. The government has declared a state of emergency as a result.
It has been compounded worse by the fact that the bacterial strain that causes Cholera is resistant to the usual drugs. So far 25 deaths have been reported, including a headmaster of a primary school in Glen View.
School children are the most effected. As a church, other than praying for lives to be preserved at such a time like this, let's also practice basic hygiene.
Few things that we might want to know concerning Cholera:
Cholera is an acute epidemic infectious disease. It is characterized by watery diarrhea, extreme loss of fluid and electrolytes, and severe dehydration. It can be fatal. |
| 2018 Zimbabwe Cholera Outbreak |
Symptoms
They Typically Include:
1. Large volumes of explosive watery diarrhea, sometimes called "rice water stools" because it can look like water that has been used to wash rice.
2. Vomiting.
3. Leg cramps.
4. A person with cholera can quickly lose fluids, up to 20 liters a day, so severe dehydration and shock can occur.
Signs of dehydration include:
1. Loose skin.
2. Sunken eyes.
3. Dry mouth.
4. Decreased secretion.
5. Sweating
6. Fast heart beat
7. Low blood pressure
8. Dizziness or Lightheadedness
9. Rapid weight loss.
Cholera bacteria enter the body through the mouth, often in food or water that has been contaminated with human waste, due to poor sanitation and hygiene.
They can also enter by eating seafood that is raw or not completely cooked.
Poorly cleaned vegetables irrigated by contaminated water sources are another common source of infection.
In situations where sanitation is severely challenged, such as in refugee camps or communities with highly limited water resources, a single affected victim can contaminate all the water for an entire population.
2. When traveling in areas where the disease is endemic, it is important to:
3. Eat only fruit you have peeled.
4. Avoid salads, raw fish, and uncooked vegetables.
5. Ensure that food is thoroughly cooked.
6. Make sure water is bottled or boiled and safe to consume.
7. Avoid street food, as this can carry cholera and other diseases.
It is normally dehydration that leads to death from cholera, so the most important treatment is to give oral hydration solution (ORS), also known as oral rehydration therapy (ORT).
The treatment consists of large volumes of water mixed with a blend of sugar and salts.
3. Dry mouth.
4. Decreased secretion.
5. Sweating
6. Fast heart beat
7. Low blood pressure
8. Dizziness or Lightheadedness
9. Rapid weight loss.
Causes
Cholera is more common where there is overcrowding and poor sanitation.Cholera bacteria enter the body through the mouth, often in food or water that has been contaminated with human waste, due to poor sanitation and hygiene.
They can also enter by eating seafood that is raw or not completely cooked.
Poorly cleaned vegetables irrigated by contaminated water sources are another common source of infection.
In situations where sanitation is severely challenged, such as in refugee camps or communities with highly limited water resources, a single affected victim can contaminate all the water for an entire population.
Prevention
1. Handwashing is important to prevent the spread of disease.2. When traveling in areas where the disease is endemic, it is important to:
3. Eat only fruit you have peeled.
4. Avoid salads, raw fish, and uncooked vegetables.
5. Ensure that food is thoroughly cooked.
6. Make sure water is bottled or boiled and safe to consume.
7. Avoid street food, as this can carry cholera and other diseases.
Treatment
It is normally dehydration that leads to death from cholera, so the most important treatment is to give oral hydration solution (ORS), also known as oral rehydration therapy (ORT).
The treatment consists of large volumes of water mixed with a blend of sugar and salts.
