Cholera
What is Cholera?
Cholera is a disease caused by the bacteria Vibrio Cholerae, which is spread by contaminated food and water. Cholera can lead to diarrhea & dehydration. Cholera is common after natural and manmade disasters in developing countries.
For those individuals for whom it is suggested, the vaccine is taken orally and must be kept in the fridge at home.
Prevention
Food & Water Precautions
Boil
it, cook it, peel it or forget it
Use purified water for brushing your teeth as well as drinking
Safe water to drink is boiled, purified, or bottled
Reliable purification systems include both a filter (for killing parasites) and a chemical (for killing viruses & bacteria) such as chlorine dioxide.
Drink carbonated drinks, hot tea or coffee
Avoid ice in your drinks
Be cautious of unpasteurized dairy, ice cream, street vendors, buffet food, raw vegetables such as salads, large reef fish (grouper, snapper, barracuda) even if cooked.
Vaccine name: Dukoral®
Minimum age: 2 years
Primary series: 2 or 3 doses (1 to 6 weeks apart)
Booster: 1 dose within 5 years of primary series
Duration: 2 years of protection or 6 months of protection for children 2-6 years