Epidemiol Health.  2019;41:e2019033. 10.4178/epih.e2019033.

Two cases of cholera O1 in South Batinah, Oman, April 2019: lessons learned

Affiliations
  • 1Disease Surveillance and Control Department, Ministry of Health, South Batinah Governorate, Rustaq, Oman. almayahi96@hotmail.com
  • 2Al Rustaq Hospital, Ministry of Health, Rustaq, Oman.
  • 3Barka Extended Health Center, Ministry of Health, Barka, Oman.

Abstract

Cholera represents an ongoing threat to many low-income and middle-income countries, but some cases of cholera even occur in high-income countries. Therefore, to prevent or combat cholera outbreaks, it is necessary to maintain the capacity to rapidly detect cholera cases, implement infection control measures, and improve general hygiene in terms of the environment, water, and food. The 2 cases, 1 imported and 1 secondary, described herein are broadly indicative of areas that require improvement. These cases were missed at the primary health care stage, which should be the first detection point even for unusual diseases such as cholera, and the absence of strict infection control practices at the primary care level is believed to contribute to secondary cases of infection. This report also encourages countries to ensure that rapid diagnostic stool tests are available to enable quick detection, as well as to provide information to people travelling to areas where cholera is endemic.

Keyword

Cholera; Surveillance; Epidemiology; Stool antigen test; Infection control; Oman

MeSH Terms

Cholera*
Disease Outbreaks
Epidemiology
Hygiene
Infection Control
Oman*
Primary Health Care
Water
Water
Full Text Links
  • EPIH
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr