Cholera Vaccination

Cholera is a bacterial infection of the small intestine that results in vomiting and diarrhoea, which leaves the patient at risk of electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. It can be fatal and causes 58,000–130,000 deaths a year.

What are the symptoms of cholera?

Three quarters of people who are exposed to cholera have mild or no symptoms. Healthy travellers are unlikely to become very ill. Those who do become poorly will experience symptoms any time between 12 hours and five days after exposure to the bacteria.

Sufferers will vomit clear liquid and experience painless diarrhoea, often pale and cloudy in appearance. This fluid loss will cause other cholera symptoms as the sufferer becomes dehydrated and their skin will take on a characteristic greyish-blue colour.

Countries where cholera is a risk

The risk of cholera is elevated in the aftermath of natural disasters and in war zones. Cholera also occurs where there is poor hygiene and poor sanitation. There is a particular prevalence of cholera in Africa, Asia, and in Central and South America.

Who is at risk from cholera?

Humanitarian workers and healthcare professionals heading to disaster zones should be vaccinated against cholera. Aid workers and volunteers who will be working in slums or refugee camps should also get a shot for cholera.

Prevention of cholera

Apart from getting a cholera vaccination, there are a few tips to help you avoid this infection.

Practise good hygiene

Good personal hygiene will protect you from the bacteria that cause cholera. Wash your hands before you eat or cook. And always wash your hands after using the toilet. Carrying sanitising gel or alcohol wipes so that you can do a quick clean-up even if there are no facilities for washing your hands.

Check that dishes, drinking vessels, cutlery and utensils are clean before you use them – you could even give them a quick polish with an alcohol wipe.

Use safe water sources

If the local tap water is not considered safe for drinking, think about how you will source safe drinking water. These are some sources of safe water:

• Bottled water is generally safe the world over, as are all drinks in factory-sealed bottles – but look out for sneaky refills and always check the cap is sealed. In some parts of Africa filtered water is sold in bags, and this can be a good option, but take local advice. Plastic water bottles are a major cause of littering in some countries and good travellers should avoid contributing to this.
• Purifying water is particularly attractive if you are travelling to a remote area or if you know the local infrastructure is not working well. To learn more about water purification visit NHS Fit for Travel.

Watch what you eat

It is less common to catch cholera from food sources – but some infections have been traced to shellfish.

For more tips on avoiding cholera and other GI illnesses, see our blogpost.