Cholera

Dr Paul T Francis, MD Community Medicine College of Medicine, Zawia

Cholera and Epidemiology

Water pump in memory of John Snow

Epidemiology

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by V. cholerae It is seen in many countries of the world mainly the poor third world countries In Libya there has been no epidemic since 1970 Cholera is no longer the dreaded disease of the past because we can prevent deaths with Oral Rehydration Salt solution

Agent factors

Agent V cholerae (mainly El Tor biotype) The bacteria causes a toxin, which acts on the intestinal mucosa causing severe diarrhea Reservoir of infection Man (case or carrier) Infective material stools and vomit/vomitus Infective period a case of cholera is infectious for 7-10 days

Vibrio cholerae

Host factors

Age can affect any age

Cause severe morbidity and mortality

Sex affects both sexes

A Cholera patient in Bangladesh (A scene from 1970)

Environmental factors

Mode of transmission

Water is the most important source of infection Food also may be source of infection Direct contact through contaminated fingers
1-5 days

Incubation period

Control of Cholera

Primary prevention

Health education Improvement in sanitation Avoid close contact with the patients

Secondary prevention

Early diagnosis and Treatment

Rehydration

Oral with Oral Rehydration Salt solution Parenteral with Ringer lactacte solution in severe cases

Antibiotics Tetracycline

Isolate the patient to prevent spread of disease Disinfect all infected material to prevent spread of disease