CHOLERA FACT SHEET

What is cholera? Is there a vaccine to prevent cholera? Cholera is an illness caused by infection with the No. Currently, cholera vaccines are not available in the bacteria Vibrio cholerae. In the Unites States there are United States. less than 6 persons diagnosed with cholera each year. How is cholera treated? Who can get cholera? Cholera is treated by immediately replacing the fluid and Anyone. Persons who live in places with inadequate salts lost through diarrhea. Patients can be treated with water treatment, poor sanitation, and inadequate hygiene oral rehydration solution, a prepackaged mixture of are more likely to get cholera. Although this illness is sugar and salts to be mixed with water and drunk in rare in the Unites States, it still occurs in many places in large amounts. With rapid rehydration, less than 1% of the world, including Africa, Southeast Asia, and Haiti. cholera patients die. Antibiotics reduce the time you are ill and the severity of your illness, but they are not as How does a person get cholera? important as receiving rehydration. Persons who develop The bacteria are usually found in water or food sources severe diarrhea and vomiting in countries where cholera that have been contaminated by feces (poop) from a occurs should seek medical attention promptly. person infected with cholera. A person can get cholera by consuming contaminated water or food. Cholera can How can cholera be prevented? spread rapidly in areas with inadequate treatment of Cholera can be prevented by taking the following sewage and drinking water. It is not likely to spread precautions when you travel to areas where cholera is directly from one person to another; therefore, casual occurring or has occurred: contact with an infected person does not put you at risk for becoming ill.  Only drink bottled, boiled, or chemically treated water and bottled or canned carbonated beverages. What are the symptoms of cholera?  Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, Cholera is often mild or without symptoms, but can scrubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds. sometimes be severe. Approximately one in ten (5-10%)  Only eat foods that are freshly cooked and served infected persons will have severe disease characterized hot. by significant watery diarrhea, vomiting, and leg cramps.  Cook food thoroughly (particularly seafood). The rapid loss of body fluids leads to dehydration and  Avoid raw vegetables and fruits that cannot be shock. Without treatment, death can occur within hours. peeled. Only eat fruits and vegetable you have peeled yourself. How soon do symptoms appear? Symptoms typically appear within 2–3 days. However, Where can I get more information? symptoms may begin anywhere from a few hours to 5 Information about cholera and other related health topics days after becoming infected. can be found at www.cdc.gov. The DC Department of Health promotes the health and safety of the District residents. For additional information, please visit www.doh.dc.gov or call (202) 442-9371.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ddDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Center for Policy, Planning, and Evaluation Division of Epidemiology—Disease Surveillance and Investigation 899 N. Capitol Street, NE, Suite 580, Washington, D.C. 20002 www.doh.dc.gov