Study Links Sachet Water Consumption to Increased Cholera Risk in Kinshasa
A recent matched case control study has revealed a concerning link between the frequency of sachet water consumption and an increased risk of cholera. The study, conducted in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), suggests that health messaging and outbreak control measures should consider this factor in urban settings.
Cholera, a diarrheal disease caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacterium, has made a resurgence in Kinshasa. An epidemic occurred in November 2017 after nearly a decade without an outbreak. The study found that consuming street-vended sachet water significantly increased the risk of contracting the disease. Interestingly, it was not the water inside the sachets that was contaminated, but rather the pathogens were transmitted through direct contact between the mouth and the sachet's exterior.
The study suggests that the consumption frequency of street-sold sachet water in Kinshasa is associated with an increased risk of cholera. This finding highlights the importance of considering sachet water consumption as a potential risk factor in cholera outbreak control measures and health messaging in urban settings.
The study's findings underscore the need for public health interventions to target sachet water consumption habits in Kinshasa and other urban areas at risk of cholera outbreaks. By raising awareness about the transmission risks and promoting safer water consumption practices, health authorities can help mitigate the spread of this potentially deadly disease.
