Cholera

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Available Immunizations

DUKORAL™ is an effective vaccine against Enterotoxic E. Coli as well as cholera - it does not offer protection against Bengal type of cholera, a strain present in south Asia. Protection after two oral administrations lasts for about two years. DUKORAL™ will prevent most severe forms of diarrhea and can be life saving.

Although no country currently reports that it requires the vaccine for entry, local authorities may sometimes deviate from reported requirements and require evidence of cholera vaccination as a condition for entry. Some may even attempt to administer the vaccine to travelers arriving without evidence of immunization. A "Not Medically Indicated" notation or stamp on your vaccine certificate may be helpful in this situation.

You should never let yourself be injected with cholera vaccine (or any other vaccine) in unsanitary settings in developing countries. You should make every possible protestation (calling the embassy, speaking to supervisors, etc.) to avoid receiving the vaccine.

What is it?

  • Cholera is a disease characterized by severe diarrhea leading to rapid dehydration, which if untreated, may lead to death in 24 hours.
  • Cholera is transmitted through food or water contaminated with dog, cat or human feces.

    • Where is it?

    Where Cholera can be found
    The map above was published by the World Health Organization in Jan. 2002.
    The US Centers for Disease Control reports that since 1961, V. cholerae has spread from Indonesia through most of Asia into eastern Europe and Africa, and from North Africa to the Iberian Peninsula. In 1991, an extensive epidemic began in Peru and spread to neighboring countries in the Western Hemisphere.

    Prevention Tips

  • Follow strict food and water precautions while travelling.
  • Ensure all food is well cooked - especially meat and seafood.
  • Consume only canned or commercially bottled drinks.
  • Ensure ice cubes are made from purified water.
  • Eat only fruits and vegetables that you wash and peel yourself.
  • Avoid cold cuts, salads, watermelon and puddings.
  • If you will have ongoing close contact with the local population in areas with a high incidence of cholera (e.g. health care workers or workers in refugee camps), you may benefit from complete immunization against cholera in order to reduce symptoms if you develop this disease.

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