Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection characterised, in its severe form, by extreme watery diarrhoea and potentially fatal dehydration.
It is a notifiable medical condition.
Most cholera infections are asymptomatic or mild, indistinguishable from other mild diarrhoea and affect all age groups. Nausea and profuse vomiting may occur.
It is caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, which can survive in fresh and salt water.
Cholera has a short incubation period, ranging between two hours and five days, according to the South African guidelines for cholera control published by the national health department and National Institute For Communicable Diseases (NICD).
Cholera outbreak: symptoms, sources of infection and precautions that can be taken to avoid illness
Journalist
Image: 123RF/tashatuvango
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection characterised, in its severe form, by extreme watery diarrhoea and potentially fatal dehydration.
It is a notifiable medical condition.
Most cholera infections are asymptomatic or mild, indistinguishable from other mild diarrhoea and affect all age groups. Nausea and profuse vomiting may occur.
It is caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, which can survive in fresh and salt water.
Cholera has a short incubation period, ranging between two hours and five days, according to the South African guidelines for cholera control published by the national health department and National Institute For Communicable Diseases (NICD).
Sources of infection:
Prevention and control:
Source: National guidelines for cholera control by the national department of health
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