About Cholera
Cholera is an acute, diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with the toxigenic bacterium Vibrio cholerae. An estimated 2.9 million cases and 95,000 deaths occur each year around the world. The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but can sometimes be severe. Approximately one in 10 (10%) infected persons will have severe disease characterized by profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, and leg cramps. In these people, rapid loss of body fluids leads to dehydration and shock. Without treatment, death can occur within hours. Cholera is rare in the United States and other industrialized nations. However, globally, cholera cases have increased steadily since 2005 and the disease still occurs in many places including Africa, Southeast Asia, and Haiti.
The FDA recently approved a single-dose live oral cholera vaccine called Vaxchora® for adults 18 – 64 years old who are traveling to an area of active cholera transmission with toxigenic Vibrio cholerae. The vaccine is not routinely recommended for most travelers from the United States, as most people do not visit areas of active cholera transmission.
Discuss with a healthcare provider today if you need a cholera vaccine.
Read more at CDC.gov
Cholera Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
Available Cholera Vaccines
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