Disease: Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by certain serotypes of Vibriocholeriae. Infection is acquired by ingestion of contaminated food or water. The disease is toxin mediated and fever is unusual. The toxin acts on the intestinal epithelial cells of the small intestines, producing hyper secretion of water and chloride ion and thus leading to massive diarrhea upto 15 litres/day and may lead to profound hypovolumia. Occurrence: Cholera occurs in epidemic under conditions of crowding, war and famine (e.g.
refugee camps) and where sanitation is inadequate. Cholera is native to the Ganga delta in Indian subcontinent but its incidence of outbreaks has come down in last few decades due to better preventive measures. Now most of the cases are being reported from Africa and South East Asia mainly Bangladesh. Risk for travellers: Travellers are not at significant risk from cholera…