Cholera – causes and symptoms
Cholera is an infectious disease with diarrhoea caused by eating food or drinking water contaminated with a bacterium called Vibrio cholerae.
Cholera was prevalent in the UK in the 19th century before modern water and sewage treatment systems eliminated its spread by contaminated water. However, cholera outbreaks are still a serious problem in other parts of the world and can be fatal. In 2011, 589,854 cases of cholera were reported to the World Health Organisation.
All reported cases of cholera in England are as a result of people catching the infection while travelling abroad.
The disease is most common in places with poor sanitation, crowding, war and famine. Common locations include parts of Africa, south Asia, Latin America and Haiti (following the earthquake in 2010). If you are travelling to one of those areas knowing the following cholera facts can help protect you and your family.
Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that causes cholera, is usually found in food or water contaminated by faeces from a person with the infection. Common sources include:
- Municipal water supplies
- Ice made from municipal water
- Foods and drinks sold by street vendors
- Vegetables grown with water containing human wastes
- Raw or undercooked fish and seafood caught in waters polluted with sewage
When a person consumes the contaminated food or water, the bacteria release a toxin in the intestines that produces severe diarrhoea.
It is not likely you will catch cholera just from casual contact with an infected person.
Symptoms of cholera can begin as soon as a few hours or as long as five days after infection. Often symptoms are mild but sometimes they are very serious. About one in 20 people infected have severe watery diarrhoea accompanied by vomiting which can quickly lead to dehydration. Although many infected people may have minimal or no symptoms they can still contribute to spread of the infection.
Signs and symptoms of dehydration include:
- Dry mucous membranes, including the inside of the mouth, throat, nose and eyelids
- Loss of skin elasticity (the ability to return to original position quickly if pinched)
- Rapid heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Muscle cramps
If not treated, dehydration can lead to shock and death.
Cholera treatment and prevention
There is a vaccine against cholera available on the NHS given as a liquid drink which is 85% effective. The NHS says vaccination against cholera is normally only needed for relief or aid workers and people travelling to remote areas where cholera epidemics are occurring and there is limited access to medical care.
For adults and children over six years old, two doses of the vaccine are required to give protection against cholera for two years before a booster is needed.
Aside from vaccination you can protect yourself and your family by using only water that has been boiled, water that has been chemically disinfected, or bottled water. Make sure you use the bottled, boiled or chemically disinfected water for the following purposes:
- Preparing food or drinks
- Making ice
- Brushing your teeth
- Washing your face and hands
- Washing dishes and utensils that you use to eat or prepare food
- Washing fruits and vegetables