Cholera is an infectious disease that causes
severe watery diarrhea , which can lead to
dehydration and even death if untreated.

It is caused by eating food or drinking water
contaminated with a bacterium called Vibrio
cholerae.

Cholera was prevalent in the U.S. in the 1800s,
before modern water and sewage treatment
systems eliminated its spread by contaminated
water.

Only about 10 cases of cholera are reported
each year in the U.S. and half of these are
acquired abroad.

Rarely, contaminated seafood
has caused cholera outbreaks in the U.S. However,
cholera outbreaks are still a serious problem in
other parts of the world.

At least 150,000 cases
are reported to the World Health Organization
each year.

The disease is most common in places with poor
sanitation, crowding, war, and famine. Common
locations include parts of Africa, south Asia, and
Latin America.

If you are traveling to one of those
areas, knowing the following cholera facts can
help protect you and your family.

Cholera Causes Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that causes cholera, is usually found in food or water contaminated by feces 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 diarrhea.


It is not likely you will catch cholera just from
casual contact with an infected person.

Cholera Symptoms 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 diarrhea 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:
Rapid heart rate Loss of skin elasticity (the ability to return to original position quickly if pinched)
Dry mucous membranes, including the inside
of the mouth , throat, nose, and eyelids Low blood pressure Thirst Muscle cramps If not treated, dehydration can lead to shock and
death in a matter of hours.

Cholera Treatment and Prevention
Although there is a vaccine against cholera, the
CDC and World Health Organization don't
normally recommend it, because it may not protect
up to half of the people who receive it and it lasts
only a few months.

However, you can protect yourself and your family by using only water that has been boiled, water that has been chemically disinfected, or bottled water.

Be sure to use the bottled, boiled, or chemically disinfected water for the following purposes:

Drinking
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

To disinfect your own water, boil it for one minute
(or 3 minutes at higher elevations) or filter it and
use a commercial chemical disinfectant.

You should also avoid raw foods, including the
following:

Unpeeled fruits and vegetables
Unpasteurized milk and milk products
Raw or undercooked meat or shellfish
Fish caught in tropical reefs, which may be
contaminated

If you develop severe, watery diarrhea and
vomiting particularly after eating raw
shellfish or traveling to a country where cholera is
epidemic seek medical help immediately.

Cholera is highly treatable, but because
dehydration can happen quickly, it's important to
get cholera treatment right away.

Hydration is the mainstay of treatment for cholera.

Depending on how severe the diarrhea is,
treatment will consist of oral or intravenous
solutions to replace lost fluids. Antibiotics ,
which kill the bacteria, are not part of emergency
treatment for mild cases.

But they can reduce the duration of diarrhea by half and also reduce the excretion of the bacteria, thus helping to prevent the spread of the disease.

Thank You,Stay Blessed.