This serious intestinal infection can kill within hours if not treated

Photo Credits: CBC.ca, Britannica

Name
Cholera

Transmission

• An infection caused by the bacteria Vibrio cholerae
• The bacteria enter the body when people eat food or drink water contaminated with the bacteria
• Though possible, the disease usually does not spread from having casual contact with an infected person

Geography
Worldwide, especially Africa, Southeast Asia, and Haiti

Incubation Period
Less than 1 day – 5 days

Signs and Symptoms

• Severe, watery, painless diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Severe dehydration
• Leg cramps
• Rapid heart rate
• Low blood pressure
• Thirst
• Kidney failure (severe)
• Coma (severe)

Approximately 80% of infected people do not have symptoms, but the bacteria live in their feces for 1-10 days after infection, leaving the potential to infect other people if exposed within a shared environment.

Among those who develop symptoms, 80% are mild or moderate symptoms, and 20% have serious symptoms (severe watery diarrhoea, severe dehydration) which can lead to death without treatment.

Diagnosis

• Laboratory testing of stool/feces to detect the presence of the Vibrio cholerae bacteria
• There is also a new rapid diagnostic test under review which allows testing at the patient’s bedside

Treatment

• Prompt administration of oral rehydration salts (a mixture of sugar and salt in water that the patient must drink)
• Severely dehydrated patients usually require antibiotics and intravenous fluids

Prognosis

• Cholera is an extremely severe disease that can kill people within hours of ingesting the bacteria
• With treatment, the fatality rate can be less than 1% of all cases

Prevention: What Can You Do?

• Ensure access to safe, clean drinking water (drink bottled or chemically treated or boiled water)
• Ensure adequate sanitation (feces should be disposed of properly to prevent contamination)
• Cook food well and serve it hot, peel fruits and vegetables
• Maintain good hygiene and wash your hands
• There are two oral cholera vaccines but they are mostly used in areas where the disease is endemic
  • There is also an injection form of the vaccine (available in some countries) but it only provides 25-50% protection

Cholera In the News

• UN Admits Role in Cholera Epidemic in Haiti
• South Korea confirms first cholera outbreak in 15 years

Sources:
http://www.cdc.gov/cholera/index.html
http://www.who.int/topics/cholera/en/