Cholera: what is it, how dangerous is it, how do you get it, and should you vaccinate?

What is cholera?

• Cholera is an intestinal infection caused by bacteria.
• Contaminated water is often the source of the infection.
• Infection often causes symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, which can eventually lead to dehydration. This makes the infection very insidious.

Where does cholera occur?

• The cholera vaccination is no longer recommended for any entire country. This is because the infection rate and spread is rapidly declining.
• Outbreaks are often regional in nature and often linked to war or other major disasters, such as floods.
• However, in parts of Africa, a cholera stamp is still occasionally requested, especially during outbreak periods
• The vaccination stamp is requested in exceptional cases at remote African border posts. This is a way local authorities try to generate some revenue

What are the symptoms of cholera?

• In a large proportion of cases, an infection progresses without any real symptoms.
• When symptoms do occur, they often include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and sudden diarrhea.
• The combination of these symptoms can cause patients to develop dehydration, even after 24 hours.
• Dehydration is dangerous and must therefore be treated.
• Symptoms of dehydration include a dry mouth, reduced tear production, sunken eyes, extreme fatigue, and a fishy odor in stool.

Can cholera be treated?

• With proper treatment, the risk of death is minimal.
• Treatment primarily consists of maintaining adequate fluid levels.
• This can be done, for example, by administering fluids orally or through oral rehydration (ORS).
• In the hospital, an IV may be used.
• Finally, in some cases, antibiotics may also be necessary.

What can you do to prevent cholera infection abroad?

• First and foremost: maintain good hygiene.
• This means washing your hands after using the toilet and before eating, not drinking tap water, peeling fruit yourself, and cooking food thoroughly.
• Eating shellfish is particularly risky.

Are there vaccinations against cholera?

• Cholera vaccination isn't offered as part of standard travel vaccinations programs, since prevalence of cholera is absent in tourist areas under normal circumstances.
• People traveling to or working in areas where cholera is endemic and where access to good health care is limited are generally advised to take the vaccination.
• It is important to closely follow general preventive measures, as the vaccine offers on average about 60–80% protection.
• In some destinations, repeated vaccination is recommended for traveling to or visiting locations without access to clean drinking water.
• Once the cholera stamp is in your vaccination record, you never need to get a new one.