33.6  Prevention and control of bacterial and viral diarrhoeal diseases

Prevention and control measures for all diarrhoeal diseases, whatever the infectious organism, aim at interrupting faeco-oral transmission from contaminated hands, water, food and other sources. Look back at Study Session 32 to remind yourself of the key points to emphasise when you educate people in your community on how to protect themselves and their children from developing diarrhoeal diseases. Figure 33.7 illustrates some important strategies that everyone should know.

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Figure 33.7  Poster showing actions to reduce the transmission of diarrhoeal diseases: (top right) build a latrine with a water container for handwashing; (bottom left) give an affected child ORS to drink and take him to a health facility; (bottom right) bury faeces in a safe place. (Photo: Ali Wyllie)