Cholera

Abstract

Cholera, an acute infectious disease characterized by massive gastrointestinal loss of isotonic fluid, is prevalent throughout large parts of the world today. Although this disease can be effectively treated under ideal conditions, the mortality rate in most cholera-affected areas remains quite high. The only certain protection against this disease is provided by adequate water supply and sewage disposal facilities. In the absence of such facilities, careful personal hygiene can provide a very high level of protection. Chemoprophylaxis is potentially effective only for small,relatively isolated population groups. Currently available commercial cholera vaccines provide only limited protection for a relatively short period of time. Although experimental data suggest that a new toxoid vaccine, currently being tested in the field, may provide a higher degree of protection, the duration of immunity provided by this vaccine will probably also be of relatively short duration.