To prevent cholera, it is important to drink clean water, and practice good sanitation and hygiene. Provision of safe water and basic sanitation, and hygiene practices is critical to prevent and control the transmission of cholera.
1. Drink safe water – Only drink water that has been boiled, treated with chlorine or is bottled. Beware of packaged “iced water” and “pure water” in sachets. If you don’t have access to safe water, you can disinfect it by boiling it for at least one minute.
2. Practice good hygiene – Always wash your hands with soap and safe water after going to the toilet and before having your meals.
3. If you’re in an area with cholera cases, avoid tap water, water fountains and drinks with ice cubes. This precaution applies to the water you drink and water you use to wash dishes, prepare food and brush your teeth.
4. If you don’t have access to a good toilet facility, relieve yourself away from any body of water, including wells, and dispose of the excrement properly either by burying or in a soak away pit.
5. Eat hygienically prepared prepackaged foods. Wash fruits and vegetables properly with clean, running water before consumption. Peel raw fruits and vegetables yourself and cook all foodstuff thoroughly.
6. Eat food that’s completely cooked and hot. Avoid street vendor food, if possible. If you do buy a meal from a street vendor, make sure it’s cooked in your presence and served hot. Avoid prepackaged salads, raw or improperly cooked fish and seafood of any kind.
