CHOLERA: PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR LOVED ONES

Increasing cases of Cholera have been reported in South Africa from February 2023. To date, Langeberg Municipality does not have any cases of Cholera reported in our area. We do however encourage residents to take extra precaution by following preventative measures to stay healthy.

Cholera is an infectious disease that causes severe watery diarrhoea, which can lead to dehydration and even death if untreated. It is caused by eating food or drinking water contaminated with a bacterium called Vibrio cholerae.

Symptoms are often mild and can begin as soon as a few hours or as long as five days after infection.
They typically include:
• Large volumes of explosive watery diarrhea, sometimes called "rice water stools" because it can look like water that has been used to wash rice
• Vomiting
• Leg cramps
• Dehydration occurs rapidly and if untreated it can be fatal

People at risk of contracting cholera are those exposed to unsafe drinking water, contaminated rivers (bathing/ swimming) poor sanitation and inadequate hygiene.

You can get cholera by drinking water or eating food contaminated with human faeces. Soiled hands can also contaminate clean drinking water and food.

If you think you or a member of your family might have cholera, seek medical attention immediately.

Cholera can be treated by immediate replacement of the fluid and salts lost through diarrhea. Patients can be treated with Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS).

How can you avoid getting cholera?

Use safe water

In areas where water supplies may be contaminated, the most cost-efective method is chlorination of water in a storage container using household bleach:
• Add one teaspoon (5 ml, or one capful if bottle has a screw cap) of household bleach to 20- 25 litres of water.
• Thoroughly mix solution with the water and allow to stand for at least two hours (preferably overnight) before use.
• Water should be stored covered in clean containers.

Boiling is also efective, however, there is a potential for microbial re-growth if the boiled water is stored beyond 1 - 2 days. Filtration may be necessary in addition to boiling if the only water available contains much particulate matter:

Use a piece of clean white cloth to cover the opening of a 20-25 litre water container. 

• Pour water through the clean cloth into the container.
• Clean the cloth and make sure it is always clean for future use

Hygiene: Wash your hands often with soap and clean water, especially before you eat or prepare food and after using the bathroom. If no water and soap are available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 70% alcohol.
Food safety: Make sure you use only safe water for drinking and preparing food.

Source: National Institute for Communicable Diseases