Cholera

Cholera is an acute bacterial disease that affects the intestines, causing severe watery diarrhea and rapid dehydration, which can be fatal if not treated quickly.
The disease is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

What is Cholera?

Cholera is an acute bacterial disease that affects the intestines, causing severe watery diarrhea and rapid dehydration, which can be fatal if not treated quickly.
The disease is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

The bacteria are typically transmitted to humans through contaminated water or food, especially in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean drinking water.
Outbreaks often occur after natural disasters or in refugee camps, where clean water and proper hygiene are lacking.

Signs & Symptoms

1

Clinical Signs:

  • Rapid pulse (tachycardia)

  • Low blood pressure (hypotension)

  • Dry, cold, and wrinkled skin (dehydration)

  • Decreased urine output or no urination

  • Muscle cramps

  • Weak or absent pulse (due to shock)

  • Changes in consciousness (confusion or unconsciousness in severe cases)

2

What the patient experiences:

  • Sudden, profuse diarrhea – watery, “rice-water” stools

  • Severe vomiting

  • Intense thirst

  • Weakness and fatigue

  • Dizziness, especially when standing up (due to dehydration)

  • Muscle cramps

Cholera can be fatal if untreated.
Severe dehydration caused by cholera can quickly lead to death, but timely rehydration treatment is highly effective and lifesaving.

Who is most at risk?

Certain conditions and situations may place you at increased risk of exposure to cholera.

  • People living in or traveling to areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water

  • Humanitarian aid workers responding to outbreaks or working in refugee camps

  • Healthcare workers treating cholera patients without adequate protective measures

  • People consuming food or water contaminated with Vibrio cholerae bacteria

  • Communities affected by natural disasters where water systems may be compromised

Cholera is primarily transmitted through contaminated water or food, and the risk is highest where sanitation is inadequate and water treatment is lacking.

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How to prevent Cholera

Cholera prevention is important if you’re travelling to or living in areas where cholera is more common, especially if:

  • you’re going somewhere with limited access to clean water and sanitation

  • you might consume food or drinks prepared in unhygienic conditions

  • you’re staying in rural or disaster-affected areas with poor infrastructure

  • you’re working in healthcare, humanitarian aid, or water and sanitation services

  • you plan to stay for an extended period in a high-risk region

To reduce your risk:

  • Drink only bottled or properly treated water

  • Eat food that is thoroughly cooked and served hot

  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and safe water

  • Consider getting the cholera vaccine if recommended for your travel destination

Cholera vaccines may not be free and can be obtained from travel health clinics or specialized pharmacies.

Treatment for Cholera

If you have symptoms such as severe diarrhea and dehydration after being in an area with poor sanitation or contaminated water, a doctor will check if you need treatment.
Treatment usually involves:

  • Rehydration with oral rehydration salts (ORS) to replace lost fluids and electrolytes

  • Intravenous (IV) fluids in severe cases of dehydration

  • Antibiotics, in some cases, to shorten the duration of diarrhea and reduce severity

  • Zinc supplements may be recommended, especially for children, to help reduce diarrhea

If treated quickly, cholera can usually be cured easily and effectively.

Cholera can be life-threatening

Without treatment, severe cholera can lead to death within hours due to dehydration. However, with prompt rehydration therapy, most people recover fully

Vaccination

No vaccines found for this disease.

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13 June 2025