Vibrio cholerae :
Vibrio cholerae
Slide 3:
Method of spread:
Faecal contamination:
Food or water-borne material contaminated with faeces from infected person or a ‘carrier’
Handling of contaminated objects
Vector, e.g. flies moving from human faeces to food
V.cholerae can only multiply in the human intestine , although they can survive outside the body.
Malnutrition which reduces resistance of body.
Overpopulation
Poor drainage of sewage and discharge of sewage from ships into oceans
Irrigation with water containing raw sewage in it
Slide 5:
Signs and Symptoms
Bacteria produce toxins called chloragen, causing inflammation of the gut and severe diarrhoea. Fluid loss so intense the diarrhoea is termed a ‘rice water’.
Abdominal pain and vomiting are also common.
Fever is absent, the skin feels cold and often damp.
Resulting dehydration and loss of mineral salts can cause death.
One patient can affect wide area of community if the faeces are not collected and disposed hygenically.
Treatment :
Treatment Antibiotics eg. Tetracyclines, chloramphenicol.
Oral rehydration therapy (ORT): a solution of salts and glucose is given because it is effectively absorbed by intestine and brings along mineral salts.
Prevention :
Prevention Provision of clean drinking water.
Proper sewage treatment and sanitation.
High standards of personel and public hygeine, particularly in relation with food.
Health education.
Vaccination: killed bacteria, short lived protection and not always effective. Genetically engineered vaccine now available.
Control of flies which act as vectors in transferring faecal material to food.
Slide 8:
Identification of carriers and prevention of their working in food industry.
Isolation of patients and hygienic disposal of faeces and vomit from patient.
Immediate examination of diarrhoeal diseases for bacterial content and effective treatment supplied immediately.
Close contacts should be treated with drugs to kill any possible cholera bacteria, and people in the area should be vaccinated