Cholera

acute bacterial origin, determined by the "enterotoxin of Vibrio cholerae. It is contracted mainly through the ingestion of contaminated food or water and manifests itself with profuse diarrhea and abdominal pain.

The cholera vibe survives very well in drinking water (7 to 14 days) and rivers (one or two days), while it is particularly sensitive to high temperatures.

mainly conveyed by contaminated water and food. In human epidemics, in particular, two vibrio serogroups are involved: O1 (the most widespread in the world) and O139 (found only in some regions of Asia).

This bacterium, once ingested, colonizes the intestine, where it releases a toxin capable of adhering to the cells of the epithelium and producing a toxic action, modifying, through a complex physiological reaction, the absorption capacity of water. After several hours or days, discharge of watery and massive diarrhea, associated with vomiting, rapid dehydration and reduced body weight appear in 5-10% of infected people.

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The patient suffering from cholera can lose over 1 liter of liquid stools per hour, often described as "rice water" due to its whitish color and characteristic odor. Dehydration can be severe enough to cause anuria, muscle cramps, hypovolaemia, and cardiovascular collapse. Without proper treatment, death can occur within hours.

Fortunately, in most cases, cholera infection occurs in a subclinical form or as a mild and uncomplicated diarrheal episode.

. Outbreaks and small epidemics of cholera have also appeared in industrialized countries.

In 2017, a global cholera control strategy - Ending Cholera: a global roadmap to 2030 - was launched with the goal of reducing cholera deaths by 90%.