Cholera risk in Dhaka

Cholera is a bacterial infection caused by Vibrio cholerae that spreads through contaminated water and food. It causes severe watery diarrhea and vomiting, leading to rapid dehydration. Without treatment, it can be fatal within hours. In Dhaka, risk score 60/100 reflects ongoing vulnerability due to dense population, flooding during monsoon season, inadequate water treatment infrastructure, and widespread street food culture where hygiene standards vary. Specific local risk factors include monsoon flooding that mixes sewage with drinking water supplies, broken drainage systems that contaminate shallow tube wells, overcrowded living conditions in areas like Mirpur and Mohammadpur where water pressure drops and contamination increases, and the popularity of street vendors selling food and drinks near open drains and gutters. Here are five practical prevention steps. First, treat all drinking water. Boil water for at least one minute or use chlorine tablets. Never rely on appearance alone. If boiling is not possible, use purification tablets or filters certified to remove bacteria. Second, avoid raw foods washed with tap water. Peel fruits yourself. Skip salads and raw vegetables from street vendors. Choose freshly cooked hot foods only. Third, carry oral rehydration salts. At the first sign of watery diarrhea, begin sipping immediately. Dehydration kills faster than the infection itself. Fourth, wash hands with soap after every toilet visit and before eating. Keep nails short. Carry alcohol-based sanitizer for moments without soap and water. Fifth, report clusters. If multiple people develop diarrhea within hours, alert local health workers immediately. Early response saves lives. Keep a small emergency kit with oral rehydration salts, chlorine tablets, and soap. Store it where flooding cannot reach it. Check expiry dates every three months.