1. Dr Paul T Francis, MD Community Medicine College of Medicine, Zawia
Cholera
Dr Paul T Francis, MD
Community Medicine
College of Medicine, Zawia

2. Cholera and Epidemiology
Water pump in memory of John Snow

4. Epidemiology
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by V. cholerae
It is seen in many countries of the world mainly the poor third world countries
In Libya there has been no epidemic since 1970
Cholera is no longer the dreaded disease of the past because we can prevent deaths with Oral Rehydration Salt solution

5. Agent factors Agent – V cholerae (mainly El Tor biotype)
The bacteria causes a toxin, which acts on the intestinal mucosa causing severe diarrhea
Reservoir of infection – Man (case or carrier)
Infective material – stools and vomit/vomitus
Infective period – a case of cholera is infectious for 7-10 days

6. Vibrio cholerae

7. Host factors Age – can affect any age Sex – affects both sexes
Cause severe morbidity and mortality
Sex – affects both sexes

8. A Cholera patient in Bangladesh (A scene from 1970)

9. Environmental factors
Mode of transmission
Water is the most important source of infection
Food also may be source of infection
Direct contact through contaminated fingers
Incubation period
1-5 days

10. Control of Cholera Primary prevention Health education
Improvement in sanitation
Avoid close contact with the patients

11. Secondary prevention Early diagnosis and Treatment
Rehydration
Oral with Oral Rehydration Salt solution
Parenteral with Ringer lactacte solution in severe cases
Antibiotics – Tetracycline
Isolate the patient to prevent spread of disease
Disinfect all infected material to prevent spread of disease