Overview
Cholera is the name given to a diarrheal illness caused by the bacterium
Vibrio cholerae. V. cholerae is found in water or food contaminated by feces. Cholera causes profuse watery diarrhea and can lead to death by sudden dehydration because of the tremendous output of liquid stool. You can contract cholera by eating or drinking food or water contaminated with feces containing
V. cholerae. This same bacterium is also present in raw seafood, particularly shellfish.
The best way to avoid getting cholera is to be careful about what you eat or drink. When traveling to countries without clean drinking water, a good way to remember what foods and beverages are safe is to think: If you can not boil it (to kill bacteria), peel it (to remove bacteria), or cook it (to kill bacteria),
do not eat it. Also when traveling, remember to avoid ice cubes, which may be made with contaminated water, and to check the seal on all bottled water that you purchase (as the water bottle may have been refilled with unclean water). Some travelers drink only carbonated water in order to avoid this issue.
How do I get cholera?
- By eating foods contaminated with feces containing V. cholerae
- By drinking water contaminated with feces containing V. cholerae
- By eating raw shellfish contaminated with V. cholerae
