CHOLERA:

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Cholera is an intestinal disease caused by bacteria. In countries reporting outbreaks of cholera, the bacteria may be in the water supply, uncooked seafood or other contaminated foods. Africa accounts for 94% of the total cases reported.

Cause: Cholera isspreadm ainly through drinking water contaminated with bowel movements from infected people. It also spreads through eating raw or undercooked seafood from polluted waters and eating other foods that have been contaminated by dirty water, stools, soiled hands or flies.

Symptoms: The first signs are a sudden onset of severe watery diarrhea, occasional vomiting, cramping and dehydration (loss of fluids).

New cases: 101,383 cases in 2004

Deaths: 2345 deaths in 2004 (last year available), although a recent outbreak in Angola has killed over 2100 since February 2006

Sources

World Health Organization information on Cholera

World Health Organization Weekly Epidemiological Record

Official website for Center for Disease Control and Prevention

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