Cholera
Cause
Vibrio cholerae bacteria of serogroups O1 and O139.
Transmission
Infection occurs through ingestion of food or water contaminated directly or indirectly by faeces or vomitus of infected individuals. Cholera affects only humans; there is no insect vector or animal reservoir host.
Nature of the disease
An acute enteric disease varying in severity. Most infections are asymptomatic (i.e. do not cause any illness). In mild cases, acute watery diarrhoea occurs without other symptoms. In severe cases, there is sudden onset of profuse watery diarrhoea with nausea and vomiting and rapid development of dehydration. In severe untreated cases, death may occur within a few hours due to dehydration leading to circulatory collapse.
Geographical distribution
Cholera occurs mainly in poor countries with inadequate sanitation and lack of clean drinking-water and in war-torn countries where the infrastructure may have broken down. Many developing countries are affected, particularly those in Africa and Asia and, to a lesser extent, those in central and South America (Map).
Risk for travellers
The risk for most travellers is very low, even in countries where cholera epidemics occur, provided that simple precautions are taken to avoid potentially contaminated food and water. Humanitarian relief workers in disaster areas and refugee camps are at risk.
Precautions
Cholera vaccination is not required as a condition of entry to any country. As for other diarrhoeal diseases, all precautions should be taken to avoid consumption of potentially contaminated food, drinks and drinking-water. Oral rehydration salts (ORS) should be carried to combat dehydration in case of severe diarrhoea (Chapter 3).