Cholera: how is the disease transmitted and what are the symptoms?

Faced with the risk of a cholera epidemic in Mayotte, health authorities want to respond quickly. The first three cases of the disease among the local population were detected on the island. The human cases in the territory join ten others imported from neighboring Comoros since mid-March, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) said.

To prevent the risk of spread, the island has “increased” vigilance. But how do you get infected with this disease?

Contaminated water and food

Cholera is an epidemic diarrheal disease caused by bacteria of the O1 and O139 serogroups. Vibrio cholerae. Being the main reservoir of cholera, people can become infected when they drink contaminated water or eat contaminated food. “Bacilli, or cholera vibrios, release cholera toxin into the intestines, which causes loss of water and electrolytes (up to 15-20 liters per day),” the Ministry of Health clarifies.

In addition to being a culture medium, humans are also a means of transport for bacilli. Contaminated feces released in large quantities spread them into the environment and in turn contaminate water and food. Thus, high population concentration and poor sanitary conditions favor the onset of an epidemic.

From no symptoms to severe dehydration

“Less than 25% of infected people develop symptoms,” notes the Pasteur Institute. This does not prevent bacilli from being present in their stool for ten days after infection, which can infect other people.

For people who develop symptoms, diarrhea and vomiting, usually without fever, may occur between 12 hours and five days after exposure. When symptoms are mild, they may be difficult to distinguish from other types of diarrhea.

In 10–20% of cases, patients develop all symptoms leading to severe dehydration. Without treatment, which essentially consists of replacing digestive losses of water and electrolytes, cholera can be fatal within three days. On the other hand, people who undergo treatment improve quickly, sometimes within hours. Complete healing occurs within a few days, without any consequences.

Hygienic prevention measures

Children, the elderly and vulnerable people have the highest mortality rates. According to the WHO, there are approximately three million cases of cholera and more than 95,000 deaths worldwide each year. Numbers that can be underestimated.

To avoid the risk of infection, ARS recommends drinking only drinking water. When traveling to endemic areas, practicing hygiene measures such as drinking cooked and hot food, corked bottled water, avoiding ice cubes, or regularly washing hands is the best individual prevention.