Cholera is a type of diarrhoeal infection that results from ingesting contaminated food or water containing the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. This infection is a major public health concern worldwide and is linked to inequity and lack of social development. The annual number of cholera cases worldwide is estimated to be between 1.3 and 4.0 million, with 21,000 to 143,000 deaths resulting from the disease.
Cholera is a severe illness that can cause acute watery diarrhoea and extreme dehydration. Symptoms usually appear within 12 hours to 5 days of consuming contaminated food or water. Cholera can be fatal within hours if left untreated, and it affects people of all ages.
Although some individuals who contract Vibrio cholerae may not experience any symptoms, they can still spread the bacteria through their faeces for up to 10 days after infection, thereby infecting others.
Preventing cholera is often possible by ensuring access to clean water and sanitation facilities and by promoting good hygiene practices. With such measures in place and sustained for the entire population, cholera can be controlled and ultimately eliminated.
Prevention and control
Preventative measures against cholera primarily involve ensuring access to clean water, proper sanitation, and vaccination with Oral Cholera Vaccines. Educating communities on good food hygiene practices and basic hygiene behaviors such as washing hands with soap after defecation and before handling food or eating are also essential. Surveillance and early warning systems should be strengthened to quickly detect and control outbreaks.
Controlling cholera requires collaboration beyond the health sector and engaging with partners across other sectors. Multi-sectoral cholera control plans can bring together relevant sectors and promote communication and coordination beyond cholera control.
Vaccines
Since the establishment of the global stockpile in 2013, over 50 million doses of Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) have been effectively administered through mass campaigns in various settings. OCV is considered an additional measure for controlling cholera and should be employed systematically in areas that are endemic to cholera as well as during outbreaks and emergencies.
While OCV is safe and efficient, it is just one of the tools that is used in the larger approach to control cholera. Long-term efforts should focus on sustainable access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities, and OCV serves as a critical intermediate measure to achieve these objectives.
