Cholera risk in Santa Cruz

Cholera Prevention Guide for Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Cholera is a bacterial infection caused by Vibrio cholerae that spreads through contaminated water and food. It causes severe diarrhea and dehydration and can become life-threatening within hours if untreated.

Why Santa Cruz faces elevated risk:

Santa Cruz sits in a tropical lowland region with distinct wet and dry seasons. During the rainy months, flooding overwhelms aging water infrastructure, allowing sewage to mix with drinking water supplies. Many neighborhoods rely on informal water connections and uncovered storage tanks that collect contamination. Street food is widely consumed, and some vendors use unsafe water for washing produce and preparing drinks. Outdoor markets with limited sanitation access compound these risks.

Your prevention steps:

First, treat every sip of water you do not personally boil. Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one full minute before drinking, cooking, or brushing your teeth. If boiling is impractical, use chlorine drops or tablets following package instructions.

Second, wash your hands with soap and clean water before eating, after using the toilet, and after handling raw food. Carry alcohol-based sanitizer for situations where soap is unavailable.

Third, eat only thoroughly cooked food served hot. Peel fruits yourself. Avoid raw salads, unpeeled fruits, and ice from unknown sources, especially at street stalls.

Fourth, store clean water in covered containers with narrow openings to prevent recontamination. Never dip cups or hands directly into stored water.

Fifth, if severe watery diarrhea develops, begin oral rehydration immediately using a salt-sugar solution or commercial ORS packets and seek medical care without delay. Early rehydration saves lives far more effectively than antibiotics alone.

Know your neighborhood water source, report broken pipes and sewage overflows to local authorities, and share these practices with your household and community.