Cholera

Where it occurs

Prevalent in almost every under-developed country, including Asia, Africa, Central Latin America and Eastern Europe.

Infection

Cholera is an acute infection of the intestines caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the bacteria Vibrio Cholerae. It tends to be concentrated in areas with inadequate treatment of sewage and drinking water so that water used to prepare food or given you to drink can be contaminated. It can also exist in shellfish reared in contaminated water, which can infect you if they have not been cooked sufficiently to destroy the bacteria.

Symptoms

Symptoms emerge one to five days after infection but often infection is only mild and there are no symptoms - but there may be prolonged watery diarrhoea, vomiting and cramps. In the worst cases, the first two of these can quickly and massively de-hydrate the body, leading to shock and sufferers can die within hours.

Treatment

Cholera is comparatively easy to treat. Re-hydration through prompt administration of oral salts to replace lost fluids is usually enough but in more severe cases hospitalisation and an intravenous drip will be required.