Excerpts from CDC re: Cholera (wash hands / drink clean water)

SEVERAL FOLKS HAVE HAD CONCERNS ABOUT CHOLERA – BELOW IS INFORMATION FROM THE FOLLOWING CDC (CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL) WEBSITE: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2012/chapter-3-infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/cholera.htm

(SUMMARY: Drinking purified bottled water and washing hands regularly is adequate prevention for travelers)

MODE OF TRANSMISSION

Toxigenic V. cholerae O1 and O139 are free-living bacterial organisms found in fresh and brackish water, often in association with copepods or other zooplankton, shellfish, and aquatic plants. Cholera infections are most commonly acquired from drinking water in which V. cholerae is found naturally or into which it has been introduced from the feces of an infected person. Other common vehicles include contaminated fish and shellfish, produce, or leftover cooked grains that have not been properly reheated. Transmission from person to person, even to health care workers during epidemics, is rarely documented.

EPIDEMIOLOGY

…… From 1999 through 2008, 60 confirmed cases of cholera in the United States were acquired abroad. Travelers who follow the usual tourist itineraries and who observe safe food and water recommendations and hygiene precautions while in countries reporting cholera have virtually no risk. The risk is increased for those who drink untreated water, do not follow proper hygiene recommendations, or eat poorly cooked or raw food, especially seafood, in endemic or outbreak settings……

PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR TRAVELERS

Safe food and water precautions and frequent handwashing are critical in preventing cholera (see Chapter 2, Food and Water Precautions). Chemoprophylaxis is not indicated.
No cholera vaccine is available in the United States. Two oral vaccines are available outside the United States: Dukoral (Crucell, the Netherlands) and Shanchol (Shantha Biotechnics, India)/mORCVAX (Vabiotech, Vietnam). Shanchol and mORCVAX are similar vaccines produced by different manufacturers. These vaccines appear to be safe, provide better immunity, and have fewer adverse effects than the previously licensed injectable vaccine. However, CDC does not recommend these vaccines for most travelers because of the low risk of cholera to US travelers and the incomplete immunity that the vaccines confer. No country or territory requires vaccination against cholera as a condition for entry.