Cholera

• Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.⁽¹⁾
• Cholera is endemic to approximately 50 countries, primarily in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa. During 2017 and 2022, cases were also reported in the Eastern Mediterranean/Middle East, the Caribbean, and the Western Pacific.⁽²⁾ Since 2022, there has been a surge of cholera outbreaks worldwide.⁽²⁾
• It is estimated that every year, there are roughly 1.3 to 4.0 million cases, and 21,000 to 143,000 deaths per year worldwide due to cholera.⁽¹⁾
• Symptomatic cholera is shown by watery diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration.⁽²⁾
• Although the disease often has a mild progression, without treatment Cholera can lead to death.^(1,2)
• Cholera is a treatable disease.⁽¹⁾
• A multifaceted approach which also includes the administration of oral cholera vaccines is key to control cholera, and to reduce deaths.₍₃₎
• Before traveling, check possible preventive measures. The platform www.reisemedizincheck.at can help you find a travel medicine expert in your area.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection that can kill within hours if left untreated.⁽¹⁾

Cholera is caused by ingesting water or food that has been contaminated with Vibrio cholerae bacteria.⁽¹⁾

In developing countries, climatological factors, namely warm air temperatures coupled with heavy rainfall (e.g., extreme weather events like hurricanes and floods) can overwhelm vulnerable sanitary infrastructure and drive incidence of epidemic cholera.⁽²⁾

Video Cholera

Cholera is endemic to approximately 50 countries, primarily in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa.⁽²⁾

Cholera is linked to limited access to safe water, basic sanitation facilities and poor hygiene practices.⁽¹⁾

In developing countries, climatological factors, namely warm air temperatures coupled with heavy rainfall (e.g., extreme weather events like hurricanes and floods) can overwhelm vulnerable sanitary infrastructure and drive incidence of epidemic cholera.⁽²⁾



Map: Cholera risk areas with suspected and confirmed cases of cholera and watery diarrhea, January–November 2024⁽⁴⁾

Travelers to areas where cholera is endemic or where an active epidemic is occurring are at risk for cholera infection.⁽²⁾

Healthcare and response workers in cholera-affected areas (e.g., during an outbreak, after a disaster) also might be at increased risk for cholera.⁽²⁾

People without access to safe water or food, who do not follow handwashing recommendations, or do not use latrines or other sanitation systems are at increased risk for infection.⁽²⁾

Direct person-to-person transmission has been reported, including to healthcare workers during epidemics.⁽²⁾