Cholera

Cholera

Cholera mainly spreads through contaminated/polluted water. 

People can become infected directly through drinking contaminated water, or indirectly through eating contaminated food.

Symptoms include diarrhoea dehydration, vomiting and body weakness. 

Members of the public are reminded to maintain hand hygiene to prevent possible transmission. 

All people who experience cholera-like symptoms, with or without local or international travel history, are encouraged immediately visit their nearest health facility for screening and testing to ensure early detection and successful treatment, if test positive.

Cholera prevention

Use and drink safe water

Treat or sterilize the water before drinking or cooking

How to treat or sterilize water

Boil:

  • Bring water to boiling point for at least 1 minute.
  • Boiling water is an effective way of making water safe.

Treat:  

  • Put 1 teaspoon of household bleach into 25 litres of water.
  • Put 2 drops of household bleach in 1 litre of water.
  • Wait for 30 minutes before use.
  • Always store your treated water in a clean, covered container.

Wash your hands with soap and water

Ensure proper hand hygiene 
  • Before, during, and after preparing food
  • Before and after eating food or feeding your children
  • After using the toilet
  • After cleaning your child’s bottom
  • After taking care of someone who is sick with diarrhoea

Wash hands

Always boil, cook, and peel what you eat

Cook food well and keep it covered
  • Eat foods that have been thoroughly cooked and are still hot
  • Peel fruits and vegetables
  • Be sure to cook seafood, especially shellfish, until it is very hot all the way through.
  • Avoid raw vegetables and fruits that cannot be peeled.

Toilet use

Cholera bacteria spreads from contaminated water
  • Use toilets or sanitation facilities that are safely managed to get rid of faeces (poop).
  • Wash hands with soap and safe water after going to the bathroom.
  • If you don’t have access to a toilet:
    • Poop at least 30 meters (98 feet) away from any body of water (including wells) and then bury your poop.
  • Do not put plastic bags in chemical toilets

Keep it clean

Always disinfect and clean your surfaces 
  • Areas for food preparation and kitchenware to be cleaned with soap and treated water.
  • Clean and disinfect toilets and surfaces contaminated with poop with soap and treated water
  • When finished cleaning, safely dispose of soapy water and dirty rags
  • Wash hands again with soap and safe water after cleaning and disinfecting.

NB: If you don’t have access to soap and water, use alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60% alcohol.

symptoms

Related information

Speeches and statements on cholera

Our immediate priority is to end cholera outbreak and ensure safe water for all - President Cyri Ramaphosa

Infographics [PDF]

NICD - Cholera

NICD - Cholera FAQ

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