Cholera case reported in Jiangsu province, patient recovering

Tongzhou district in Nantong, Jiangsu province, reported a cholera case on Tuesday. The patient has undergone treatment and is now nearly recovered.

No additional cases have been identified to date, according to the district's center for disease control and prevention.

The center said that last Thursday, a local hospital confirmed the case. Following cholera response protocols, the center conducted epidemiological investigations, sampling, testing, and tracking, and advised local authorities to disinfect a suspected source, a farmers' market.

According to an educational article by the district's health commission, cholera is a severe intestinal infectious disease caused by toxigenic strains of Vibrio cholerae.

The Category A infectious disease is known for its rapid onset, fast transmission, and widespread impact, with peak occurrences in summer and autumn. Typical symptoms include severe painless watery diarrhea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration and potentially death.

To aid public prevention efforts, the health commission provided these safety guidelines: wash hands before meals and after using the restroom, thoroughly cook seafood, reheat leftover food until steaming, keep raw and cooked foods separate, and seek medical help if symptoms arise.

Also, the public should avoid drinking unboiled water, patronizing unlicensed food vendors, consuming spoiled food, overeating, and touching items contaminated by cholera that have not been disinfected.