Cholera

The last cholera epidemic in Germany was more than a hundred years ago. A new epidemic is very unlikely. Epidemics most recently occurred in the Indian subcontinent, South America and Central Africa. Cholera usually occurs where there are poor hygienic conditions and inadequate drinking water supplies. As a rule, people fall ill during or after travelling to these areas.

Cholera bacteria enter the human digestive tract through drinking water contaminated with faeces. Transmission from person to person is very rare.

Many pathogens are killed by stomach acid. However, if the amount of pathogens (here the cholera bacteria) is relatively high, an infection can occur. The bacteria then pass through the stomach into the small intestine, where they find good conditions. There they attach themselves to the cell walls and produce the cholera toxins (toxin=poison). This destroys the transport systems, resulting in the loss of important minerals. This is how the dreaded diarrhoea develops. The diagnosis is made by detecting the pathogen in stool or vomit. The disease is treated by replacing lost fluids, electrolytes and sugar (glucose).

Vaccination is possible, but the protection lasts only half a year. "Normal tourists" are not at great risk, but vaccination is recommended for business or professional travellers (e.g. during disaster relief operations). After contracting the disease, immunity lasts for a limited period of time.