The first cholera cases in South Africa were detected about a month ago, in three patients who came from Zimbabwe. It is highly infectious and deadly if it is not detected and treated promptly.
It is important to educate communities about this disease.
The signs and symptoms: nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, which may be watery, dehydration, with sunken eyes, abdominal pain, lethargy, fluid and electrolyte imbalance. In severe cases, shock and seizures.
The causes: contaminated municipal water supply, food sold by street vendors, vegetables grown with water containing human waste, raw fish or undercooked seafood, poor hygiene, handling of food without the proper washing of hands.
Treatment: consult a doctor without delay. Hospitalisation, antibiotics, intravenous infusion, and check the fluid and electrolyte imbalance. It is important that the patient be…
