Prevention of Cholera
Cholera infection can be prevented in a community by:
- Sanitary disposal of faeces.
- Hand washing after defecation.
- Pure drinking water.
- Uncontaminated food supply (particularly seafood and vegetables).
- Sanitary preparation of food in commercial establishments and homes.
- Cleanliness are the most effective ways in preventing and controlling outbreaks.
- Routine treatment of a community with antibiotics, or "mass chemoprophylaxis", has no effect in controlling the spread of cholera.
- Limited stocks of two oral cholera vaccines that provide high-level protection for several months against cholera caused by V. cholerae O1 have recently become available in few countries.
