Here are measures you can take to prevent cholera

Uganda is currently experiencing heavy rains in different parts of the country, symbolised by serious flooding. The floods are well known for posing a number of healt-related risks as well as serious physical harm to people and property.

A case in point is the recent tragedy that happened on Entebbe Road in areas of Lubowa and Zzana where five members of one family succumbed to death under related circumstances.

Unlike such physical risks, there are higher chances of exposure to communicable and highly infectious diseases such as cholera. This is through faecally contaminated water sources or food, due to poor sanitation and hygiene. The greatest risk occurs in over-populated communities such as slums, refugee camp settings and Internally Displaced People’s Camps (IDPs).

The hot spots for cholera outbreaks in the country include congested slum areas in Kampala ( Bwaise, Kabowa, Kalerwe, Kyebando, lower areas of Namasuba, Kinawataka and along Nakivubo drainage channel), districts with fishing villages and low lying areas with poor toilet conditions like Hoima, Nebbi, Namayingo, Mayuge, Buliisa, Butalejja and Bulambuli, among others.

Cholera is a serious acute infection of public health concern characterised by acute severe watery diarrhoea and vomiting. It kills a person within hours due to loss of large amounts of fluid and salts that lead to severe dehydration and eventually death.

Cholera is spread through; poor personal hygiene such as not washing hands after using the latrine, poor sanitation such as open defecation; that may lead to drinking and eating food contaminated with faecal matter from an infected person.

To prevent the occurrence of cholera, we appeal to the general public to take the following measures:

• Boil all drinking water or add Chlorine, or water guard to make it safe.
  
• Avoid eating cold food or drinking fluids packed in used plastic bottles or buveera.
  
• Avoid buying or eating food, fruits, drinks being sold by the road sides/streets and non-gazzeted eating points.
  
• Wash hands before cooking, before eating, and after using the toilet.
  
• Cook food thoroughly, keep it well and eat it while still hot.
  
• Prevent children from playing in flooded or flowing rain water. It is dirty and it may also carry them away.
  Wash your hands with soap and clean water after using the toilet. Also after clean your children after they have used
• the latrine.
  
• Always wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly with clean water before eating them and where possible peel before eating.
  
• Clear water drainage channels around your homes.
  
• Use the latrine/toilet to defecate.
  
• Keep the latrine/toilet clean.
  
• Do not defecate in or near a source of drinking- water.
  
• Open water sources must be covered when not in use to avoid contamination.
  

• Collect water for household use from safe points like stand taps or protected

  Dr Atwine is the Ministry of Health
  Permanent SecrDretary,