eng Science and Education Publishing Journal of Environment Pollution and Human Health 2334-3494 2019-12-25 8 1 6 19 10.12691/jephh-8-1-2 JEPHH2020812 article Wadoubé Zoua 1 Moussa Djaouda djoubei@gmail.com 2 Justine Maïworé 2 Song Liang 3 Moïse Nola 4 Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Maroua, PO Box 46 Maroua, Cameroon Higher Teachers’ Training College, University of Maroua, PO Box 55 Maroua, Cameroon Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, and Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA Laboratory of Hydrobiology and Environment, Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, PO Box 812 Yaoundé, Cameroon In North Cameroon, cholera outbreaks regularly occur during the rainy season. Nevertheless, how the outbreak takes place and how the disease is spread in the region remain largely unknown. This study aimed to characterize quality of water sources and explore potential environmental reservoirs of the causative agent, Vibrio cholerae, and factors maintaining its persistence. Of the 33 water sources investigated, 5 (4 wells and 1 stream point) were positive for V. cholerae. The water provided from wells and stream points is unsafe for consumption with regard to microbial indicators. High-risk zones of cholera were identified which could be used to inform local risk. The household size was shown to be a significant risk factor for reported cholera cases (P<0.05). Use of uncontrolled quality water (from well and stream) was also found as a risk factor for cholera (P<0.001). This study showed that individuals who do not wash their hands with soap are most vulnerable to cholera risk (P<0.001). The use of chlorine treated water, improvement in sanitation structures and hygiene are possible solutions to reduce cholera outbreaks. http://pubs.sciepub.com/jephh/8/1/2/jephh-8-1-2.pdf Vibrio cholerae reservoirs sanitation hygiene north Cameroon