A case of cholera appeared in Wuhan University, experts: the source of infection should be controlled, the transmission route should be blocked, and the susceptible population should be protected

This article is reprinted from: Health Times

(People’s Daily Health Client Xu Tingting and Wang Aibing) At noon on July 11, the Health and Health Bureau of Wuchang District, Wuhan City released a message, and on the evening of July 9, Wuchang The District Center for Disease Control and Prevention received a report from the hospital that there was a case of infectious diarrhea in Wuhan University. After effective diagnosis and treatment, the patient’s condition has been controlled, and the symptoms have disappeared. Professional institutions have been organized to conduct sampling, testing and tracking management of relevant personnel, and temporary closure and control management and disinfection of relevant places have been carried out. No new cases have been found so far.

A disease control expert who did not want to be named told a reporter from the People’s Daily Health Client that the diagnosis and treatment methods for cholera are mature, the transmission control is relatively easy, and the local prevention and control is also very experienced. Schools should do a good job in handling the feces and vomit of patients. Those who are exposed to each other may consider taking preventive medicines; do a good job in food hygiene in school canteens, food stalls, etc.

Cholera is a Class A infectious disease, timely isolation and control can prevent the spread

Cholera is one of the two Class A infectious diseases stipulated in my country’s “Law on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases”, and one of the three infectious diseases under international quarantine stipulated in the “International Health and Quarantine Regulations”. In most cases, the infection results in only mild diarrhea or no symptoms at all, with typical symptoms ranging from severe, painless, watery diarrhea to severe diarrhea a dozen times a day. Cholera infection can cause severe dehydration and death if not treated promptly or properly.

“Students can listen to the arrangement of the department and report if they have symptoms. The school is still investigating. If they are close contacts, they will be screened one by one.” The relevant staff of Wuhan University Hospital said, “Students don’t need to be afraid and nervous, they don’t have the fear they imagined. Now they are relatively stable. We are all working overtime and working hard. Students just need to listen to the notification of the department quietly, and wait for the investigation if necessary.”

“Cholera It is a Class A infectious disease in my country and is very contagious. Once infected, it may lead to rapid spread.” Wang Guiqiang, a joint prevention and control expert of the State Council, chairman of the Chinese Medical Association Infectious Diseases Branch, and director of the Department of Infectious Diseases of Peking University First Hospital told Health Times reporter, although cholera can currently be treated by rehydration and other methods, the fatality rate is under control, but if there is a large-scale outbreak, the fatality rate will still be high.

Wu Ming, director of the Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Peking University School of Medicine, told the People’s Daily health client reporter that cholera is caused by Vibrio cholerae, which can cause acute diarrheal disease and spread through the digestive system (disease). from the mouth). Although it is a Class A infectious disease, it is preventable and curable. As long as the disinfection management of drinking water and food and other imported items is strengthened, personal hygiene, such as washing hands before and after eating, and paying attention to food hygiene, can be prevented. If a case occurs, it should be isolated and controlled in time, and the patient’s excrement and supplies should be sterilized. , to prevent proliferation. In modern society, there are effective preventive measures and diagnosis and treatment measures. If it has not polluted water sources on a large scale or contaminated aquatic products or other foods, there should be no large-scale spread.

The most important thing is to find patients, control the source of infection, block the transmission route, and protect the susceptible population

On the afternoon of July 11, the reporter took the students I called the Wuhan University Hospital with my identity, and its staff said, “Only students in the dormitory building where the relevant cases are located have received the relevant medicines. As for the medicines, we don’t know what medicines are. It is the responsibility of special personnel. For those students who have not received the investigation. , we have not received any notice, students should not panic, just pay attention to personal hygiene.”

Wang Guiqiang pointed out, “At present, this case occurred on the university campus, and the campus generally has large-scale gatherings. High-risk areas and groups of infectious diseases, if personal hygiene is not taken care of, there may be a large-scale outbreak, so the risk of new cases in schools is even greater.”

Wang Guiqiang pointed out, “At present, New cases appear on university campuses, and the risk of transmission is greater. There are large-scale gatherings on campuses, which are high-risk areas for infectious diseases. If personal hygiene is not in place, large-scale outbreaks may occur.” “No matter where it happens, The risk points of cholera epidemic mainly focus on confirmed patients and their excrement. Once any infectious disease occurs, the most important thing is to find the patient, control the source of infection, block the transmission route, and protect the susceptible population.”

In response to this new cholera epidemic, Wang Guiqiang suggested: First, although there are several cases of cholera patients in our country every year, but new cases occur, the most important issue is to quickly trace the source, isolate the source of infection, and block the transmission route; Second, the confirmed cases and their close contacts should be immediately isolated, and their related excrement should also be treated; third, if a similar new infectious disease occurs, attention should be paid to information disclosure, timely guide public opinion, and avoid causing panic; fourth, It is necessary to quickly carry out more detailed epidemiological work at the professional level to avoid possible potential cases, because the primary manifestation of the disease is diarrhea, and many people do not take it seriously, so it is necessary to delineate the scope and check all the people who have recently developed diarrhea.

Wu Ming suggested that the school should firstly cooperate with the disease control department to monitor the students around the patient, especially those in close contact, and take some small-scale isolation measures if necessary; secondly, cooperate with the disease control department to do a good job The patient’s items should be isolated and disinfected, and other students should not come into contact with them, and the patient’s living environment should be disinfected. Third, the school should strengthen the disinfection management of drinking water and food and other imported items. Fourth, educate students to pay attention to personal hygiene.