The maps designate countries considered to be affected by a disease. Areas within countries may or may not be affected by a specific disease. Consult with a Travel Healthcare Provider or www.cdc.gov/travel about your specific itinerary prior to travel.
Reporting activity data are provided by Sitata and derived from numerous sources, including official surveillance data and news reports. Reporting activity does not reflect current risk of infection with a disease. Not all areas report cases of disease; therefore, the absence of activity on the map does not indicate that a disease is not present. The relationship between the intensity of reporting activity and actual disease transmission is unknown and does not indicate a difference in risk. Maps do not reflect differential distribution of diseases within a country.
What Is It?
Cholera is a diarrheal disease caused by a bacterial infection.
Cholera is estimated to be present in 69 countries in Africa, the Americas, the Eastern Mediterranean region, Southeast Asia, and the Western Pacific region. People with cholera often have mild or no symptoms. In a subset of individuals, severe cholera may occur. In these severe cases, profuse diarrhea may occur that, without proper medical care, may lead to rapid dehydration, shock, or even death. With proper medical care, however, the likelihood of death is low.
How is it Acquired?
Cholera is spread by eating or drinking food and/or water contaminated with the cholera bacteria.
Cholera is most likely to be found and spread in places that have inadequate water treatment, poor sanitation, and inadequate hygiene. People can also get cholera by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, because cholera bacteria are naturally found in brackish (slightly salty) rivers and coastal waters.
Cholera is not likely to be spread directly from person to person, so casual contact with an infected person would not increase the likelihood for becoming ill.
Factors that may increase the likelihood of acquiring cholera include:
Remaining in cholera-affected areas for long periods of time
Not following or being unable to follow safe food and water or hygiene practices
Travelers visiting friends and relatives are particularly prone because they tend to stay longer than tourists, eat local food in people’s homes, and may not take the same precautions as other tourists. They are also less likely to see a healthcare provider prior to travel.
Factors contributing to poor outcomes may include:
Blood type O
Reduced stomach acids
Chronic medical conditions (eg, cardiovascular or kidney disease)
Lack of access to rehydration therapy or medical care
Signs and Symptoms
Although cholera can be mild, it can progress to severe disease extremely quickly.
Cholera symptoms may appear within a few hours or up to five days after infection. Most people have symptoms within two to three days.
In severe cases of cholera, profuse diarrhea may occur.
If untreated, severe cholera may lead to:
Rapid dehydration
Shock
Death
With proper medical care the likelihood of death is low. Antibiotics may shorten the duration of disease, but travelers with symptomatic cholera will still suffer the consequences of their illness. Antibiotics are only recommended in severe cases.
Precautions to Take
Some cholera precautions include:
Only drinking and using safe water for all your activities
Washing hands often with soap and water
Eating food that is cooked and served hot
Only eating fruits and vegetables that have been washed in clean water and that you peeled yourself
Discuss with a healthcare provider whether you should be vaccinated for cholera.
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This Site Does Not Provide Medical Advice. The content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace a discussion with a healthcare or travel health professional. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about your health. The content on this site has been created for U.S. residents only.
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