Cholera

An immunisation option exists for the prevention of Cholera, an oral vaccine is available.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

A person can get cholera by drinking water or eating food contaminated with the cholera bacterium. The source of the contamination is usually the feces of an infected prson that contaminates water and/or food. The disease can be spread rapidly in areas with inadequate treatment of sewage and drinking water.

Affected Areas:

The global picture of cholera changes periodically so travellers should seek updated information on counties of interest. Places where inadequate water treatment, poor sanitation, and inadequate hygene are at a greater risk. The cholera bacterium may also live in brackish rivers and costal waters. Shellfish eaten raw have been a source of cholera.

Symptoms:
The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but can sometimes be severe. Approximately 5% of infected persons will have severe disease characterized by:

• profuse watery diarrhea
• vomiting
• leg cramps
• rapid loss of body fluids resulting in dehydration and shock

Typically symptoms apprear in 2-3 days, but can take from hours to 5 days.

Without treatment, death can occur within hours.

Treatment and Prevention:

Cholera can be simply and successfully treated by immediate replacement of the fluids and salts lost through diarrhea. Oral rehydration with a mixture of sugar and salts mixed with water and drunk in large amounts is often enogh. Severe cases can require intravenous fluid replacement. Antibiotics can shorten the course but are not as important as rehydration.

In areas where cholera is a risk you should take these precautions:

• Drink only bottled, boiled, or chemically treated water, and bottles or canned carbonated beverages.
• disinfect your own water. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes
• Wash your hands often with soap and clean water. If water and soap are not available, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner (at least 60%)
• Use bottled, boiled, or chemically treated water to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, or make ice.
• eat foods that are packaged or freshly cooked and served hot. Do not eat raw and undercooked meats and seafood, or unpeaked fruits and vegetables.

The types of diseases vary with each destination. After browsing through this site you may also call or email Travel Health Help for more detailed information: 1-888-621-3952