DUT HEALTH

UPDATE

CHOLERA ALERT!
CHOLERA IS A DANGEROUS DISEASE
THAT IS CURRENTLY CIRCULATING
IN SOUTH AFRICA.

WHAT IS CHOLERA?
Cholera is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Vibrio cholerae. If the disease
is not treated quickly, it can lead to death, even in usually healthy people.

WHO GETS CHOLERA? Vomiting

Those at risk of contracting cholera are people
SIGNS AND
who are exposed to unsafe drinking water, SYMP TOMS Note that
contaminated rivers for bathing and swimming, OF CHOLERA dehydration occurs
poor sanitation and inadequate hygiene. very quickly and can
be fatal if not treated
Most people who are exposed to the bacterium Leg
do not get sick and don’t even know that they cramps
have been infected. Unfortunately, anyone who has
been exposed sheds cholera bacteria in their stool Very watery, explosive
(faeces) for seven to 14 days. During that time, diarrhoea. This is sometimes
others can become infected through contaminated called ‘rice water stools’
water. because it can sometimes look
like the water used to wash rice

HOW DO YOU
GET CHOLERA?
You can get cholera by drinking
water or eating food
contaminated with human
faeces. Soiled hands can also
contaminate clean drinking
water and food.
WHAT SHOULD
YOU DO IF YOU
OR SOMEONE ELSE
GETS SICK?
If you think you or someone close to you
might have cholera, seek medical
attention immediately. Contact
your healthcare provider, or the
DUT Clinic during office hours.
 HOW TO PREVENT YOURSELF FROM
GETTING CHOLERA

USE SAFE WATER

If water supplies near you might be contaminated, please do the following:

Chlorinate the water: Add one
teaspoon or one capful of
household bleach to 20 - 25
litres of water. Mix thoroughly
and allow to stand overnight, or
for a minimum of two hours
before using. Store water in a
clean container.
Boil the water before use.
Do not store for more than
one day. If the water
OR contains particulate matter,
strain with a clean piece of
cloth over the clean
container’s opening.

HYGIENE
Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water regularly
throughout the day, and always after using the bathroom,
changing a nappy, and before eating or preparing food. If soap
and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser
that contains a minimum of 70% alcohol.

FOOD SAFETY
Use only safe water (see above) for drinking and for preparing food.

Link
https://www.nicd.ac.za/?s=cholera
DUT CLINIC CONTACT DETAILS

Clinics
ISOLEMPILO CLINIC, 031 373 2223
STEVE BIKO CAMPUS

031 373 6010

RITSON CAMPUS
031 373 4273
ML SULTAN CAMPUS 031 373 2679
CITY CAMPUS 031 373 6002

BRICKFIELD CAMPUS 031 373 3750

INDUMISO CAMPUS 031 373 8913/8966

RIVERSIDE CAMPUS 031 373 8811/8812