Cholera (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Environmental Management): Revision Note

Strategies to control cholera

• Cholera is a severe diarrhoeal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae

  • The bacteria infect the small intestine, causing severe diarrhoea and dehydration

• It spreads through contaminated water or food

• This happens when:

  • Drinking water is polluted with sewage containing cholera bacteria

  • Food is washed or prepared with unsafe water containing the bacteria

• Outbreaks are more common where sanitation is poor

  • Open defecation, leaking sewage systems or unprotected wells increase the risk

• Strategies to control cholera focus on:

  • stopping contamination

  • improving hygiene

  • protecting people from infection

Handwashing

• Regular handwashing with soap removes bacteria from hands

  • This prevents the transfer of cholera bacteria to food, water and eating utensils

  • This is especially important after using the toilet and before preparing or eating food

Adequate sanitation and sewage treatment

• Proper sanitation systems keep human waste away from water sources

  • This prevents sewage from entering rivers, wells or drinking water supplies

• Sewage treatment kills harmful microorganisms

  • Treated wastewater is safer for the environment and reduces disease spread

Potable water supply: boiling and chlorination

• Boiling water kills cholera bacteria

  • This is a simple and effective method for households without treated water

• Chlorination is adding chlorine to water to kill harmful bacteria

  • This can be done at water treatment plants or at home using chlorine tablets

• Providing a reliable supply of potable water is one of the most effective ways to reduce cholera outbreaks

Vaccination

• Cholera vaccines provide short-term protection against infection

  • These are useful in high-risk communities or during outbreaks

• Vaccines help to reduce the number of severe cases

  • They must be used alongside sanitation and clean water strategies for full effectiveness