Technical Note: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and Infection Prevention and Control in Cholera Treatment Structures

Cholera treatment facilities provide inpatient care for cholera patients during outbreaks. Proper case
management and isolation of cholera patients is essential to prevent deaths and help control the spread of the disease. Traditionally, these structures have been referred to as cholera treatment centres (CTCs) and cholera treatment units (CTUs). CTCs are usually large structures set up at central level (e.g. urban areas), while CTUs are smaller structures set up in the periphery (e.g. peri-urban or rural areas). CTCs/CTUs can be set up as independent structures in tents or within existing buildings or wards of health structures. Whatever the structure, the principles described in this document should be respected. Adequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services are critical for patient care and for infection prevention and control (IPC) in CTCs/CTUs to help prevent disease transmission within the structure and to the surrounding area. This document describes the basic WASH and IPC requirements in CTCs/CTUs to support service provision within health structures.