Cholera

October 2010

What is Cholera?

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is spread by drinking or eating contaminated water or food.

 

 

 

 

Symptoms

• Most infected people do not show any symptoms.
• Can take from a few hours to five days to appear.
• Usually include mild to moderate diarrhea with or without vomiting.
• In more severe cases, it causes frequent watery diarrhea which can lead to severe dehydration and even death if not treated promptly.

Transmission

• Cholera is spread through contaminated food and water, including undercooked or raw shellfish and fish.
• Eating or drinking food or water contaminated by infected persons.
• Exposure to feces of an infected person.
• Cholera can spread very quickly in areas where sewage and drinking water are poorly treated.

Where is Cholera a concern?

• Cholera occurs most commonly in regions of the world where there is inadequate sanitation, poor hygiene, overcrowding and a lack of safe water and food.   
• The risk of cholera can increase following disaster situations due to the disruption of water and sanitation systems or the displacement of populations to overcrowded camps.
• Cholera continues to occur in many developing countries including those in Africa and Asia and to a lesser extent in Central and South America.
• A map of areas reporting outbreaks and imported cases of cholera (External link) is on the website of the World Health Organization.

Related Travel Health Notices

• Cholera in Dominican Republic
• Cholera outbreak in Haiti

Recommendations for Travellers

1. Practise safe food and water precautions
2. Wash your hands often 
   1. By washing your hands with soap under warm running water.
   2. Alcohol-based hand gel can also be used if soap and water are not readily available. It’s a good idea to keep some with you in your pocket or purse when you travel.
3. Consider getting vaccinated
   Most travellers to countries affected by cholera are at low risk; however those who may be at high risk (humanitarian relief workers and travellers visiting areas of high risk with limited access to safe water and food) should consult a health care provider to discuss the benefits of getting vaccinated.
4. Carry oral rehydration salts
   1. If you are travelling to areas where cholera occurs, oral rehydration salts can help to fight dehydration in cases of severe diarrhea. Oral rehydration salts are available at pharmacies.
   2. If you develop severe diarrhea and vomiting, seek medical attention immediately.

Don't Forget…

1. Consult a doctor, nurse or health care provider, or visit a travel health clinic at least six weeks before you travel.
2. What to do if you get sick when you are travelling.
3. What to do if you get sick after you return to Canada.
4. Know what vaccines you need and when to get them.

Other Related Information

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) – Vaccine-Preventable Diseases: Cholera

Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel (CATMAT) - Statement on New Oral Cholera and Travellers' Diarrhea Vaccination (2005)

World Health Organization (WHO) – Cholera