ESTIMATED MINIMUM SUPPLIES NEEDED TO TREAT 100 PATIENTS DURING A CHOLERA OUTBREAK

Rehydration supplies^a

650 packets ORS (for 1 litre each)

120 litres Ringer’s lactate solution^b , with IV-giving sets

10 scalp-vein sets

3 nasogastric tubes, 5.3 mm OD, 3.5 ID (16 French), 50 cm long for adults

3 nasogastric tubes, 2.7 mm OD, 1.5 ID (8 French), 38 cm long for children

Antibiotics

For adults:

60 capsules doxycycline, 100 mg (3 capsules per severely dehydrated case)

OR 480 capsules tetracycline, 250 mg (24 capsules per severely dehydrated case)

For children:

300 tablets trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, TMP 20 mg + SMX 100 mg (15 tablets per severely dehydrated case)

If selective chemoprophylaxis is planned, the additional requirements for four close contacts per severely dehydrated patient (about 80 people) are:

240 capsules doxycycline, 100 mg (3 capsules per person)

OR 1,920 capsules tetracycline, 250 mg (24 capsules per person)

Other treatment supplies

2 large water dispensers with tap (marked at 5- and 10-litre levels) for making ORS solution in bulk

20 bottles (1 litre) for ORS solution (e.g. empty IV bottles)

20 bottles (0.5 litre) for ORS solution

40 tumblers, 200 ml

20 teaspoons

5 kg cotton wool

3 reels adhesive tape

^a The amount of supplies listed allows enough intravenous fluid followed by ORS for 20 severely dehydrated patients and the exclusive use of ORS for the other 80 patients.

^b If Ringer’s lactate solution is not available, substitute normal saline.