Study Links Cholera Outbreak in Kinshasa to Sachet Water Consumption
A recent study led by Dr. Sophie Beghin has revealed a surprising connection between cholera and a common urban practice in Kinshasa, DR Congo. The research, published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, suggests that consuming street-vended sachet water may increase the risk of cholera transmission.
Cholera, a diarrheal disease caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacterium, resurfaced in Kinshasa in November 2017 after nearly a decade without an outbreak. A matched case control study conducted during this epidemic found a positive association between frequent sachet water consumption and a higher risk of cholera. The water inside the sachets was not contaminated, but pathogens were transmitted through direct contact between the mouth and the sachet's exterior. Dr. Beghin and her team recommend that health messaging, outbreak control measures, and epidemiological investigations should consider sachet water consumption as a potential risk factor. However, the study has its limitations, including not all cases being laboratory-confirmed and a small sample size compared to the at-risk population.
The study highlights an unexpected route of cholera transmission in urban settings, urging public health officials to include sachet water consumption in their risk assessments and interventions. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and understand the full extent of this transmission route.
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