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http://www.nevdgp.org.au/travel/dis/cholera.htm

CHOLERA

The Disease: - An infection of the small intestine caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholera.
Cholera is an acute illness characterised by watery diarrhoea. The toxin released by the bacteria  can produce massive diarrhoea. Death can result from the severe dehydration brought on by the diarrhoea. Cholera occurs in epidemics when conditions of poor sanitation, crowding, war, and famine are present. Endemic areas include India, Asia, Africa, the Mediterranean, and more recently, South and Central America, Mexico, and the U.S.. The infection is acquired by ingesting contaminated food or water. A type of vibrio also has been associated with shellfish, especially raw oysters. 

Risk:  - Residence or travel in endemic areas and exposure to contaminated or untreated drinking water. Travellers should take precautions with food and drinking water, even if vaccinated because vaccination is not very effective. No vaccine covers the Bengal strain isolated in Bangladesh & India. However this organism is sensitive to tetracycline and ciprofloxacin.
The risk of contracting Cholera is estimated at only 1 in 100,000 travellers.

Indications for current vaccination: Travellers to highly endemic areas who do not have ready access to medical attention and in those with impaired gastric defences.

Two new  oral vaccines  (likely to be available in Australia in 2000)

• The WC/rBS vaccine  (inactivated vaccine) and provides 85% efficacy, with 72% protection at 3 years in those over 5 years. 2 doses 1 - 2 weeks apart.
  (The vaccine also confers 52% protection against Entero-toxic E. Coli (ETEC) which causes about 40% of all cases of travellers diarrhoea.)

• CVD 103-HgR (live attenuated vaccine) - single dose. (Available Sept 2000)
  Orochol ® from CSL - Cost around $37 - details

Current Cholera infected areas see CDC travel information (The Blue Sheet)

  Last Update:17-Oct-2007

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ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.