History of Cholera

HERE Cholera originated in India. It quickly spread into Asia and Russia, and eventually reached Europe. The first case of cholera in Britain was recorded in the northern port of Sunderland in October 1831. Although immediate quarantine precautions were taken, cholera had spread to London by February 1832.

The disease was greatly feared by everyone because it spread very quickly and was not confined to any one social class. It could strike anyone, from the poorest to the wealthiest and the noble. More HERE

From Wikipedia

Transmission

Cholera is typically transmitted by either contaminated food or water. In the developed world, seafood is the usual cause, while in the developing world it is more often water.^[1] Cholera has been found in only two other animal populations: shellfish and plankton.^[1]

Susceptibility

About one hundred million bacteria must typically be ingested to cause cholera in a normal healthy adult.^[1] This dose, however, is less in those with lower gastric acidity (for instance those using proton pump inhibitors)-(Prevacid, Ascephix, Prilosec ect).

^1] Children are also more susceptible, with two- to four-year-olds having the highest rates of infection.

^[1] Individuals’ susceptibility to cholera is also affected by their blood type, with those with type O blood being the most susceptible.

^[1][6] Persons with lower immunity, such as persons with AIDS or children who are malnourished, are more likely to experience a severe case if they become infected.

^[7] However, it should be noted that any individual, even a healthy adult in middle age, can experience a severe case, and each person’s case should be measured by the loss of fluids, preferably in consultation with a doctor or other health worker.

The cystic fibrosis genetic mutation in humans has been said to maintain a selective advantage: heterozygous carriers of the mutation (who are thus not affected by cystic fibrosis) are more resistant to V. cholerae infections.^[8] In this model, the genetic deficiency in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator channel proteins interferes with bacteria binding to the gastrointestinal epithelium, thus reducing the effects of an infection.

Vibrio cholerae adherence and colonization in experimental cholera: electron microscopic studies.

In Brief: DRC cholera outbreak worsens

HERE KINSHASA, 8 June 2012 (IRIN) – A growing cholera outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed nearly 400 lives and affected more than 19,100 people since January, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

“The total number of cholera cases in 2012 is around 90 percent of cases reported last year. Since January 2011, 983 people have died from the outbreak affecting eight of 11 provinces of the country,” Yvon Edoumou, OCHA spokesman, told a news conference.

Since the outbreak started, more than 40,795 cases have been reported. Edoumou said the growing epidemic had put a strain on ongoing humanitarian interventions funded mainly by a US$9.1 million grant by the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, which provides rapid response grants for humanitarian emergencies.

Experts have blamed the continued spread of cholera in the DRC on poor hygiene, lack of awareness about transmission mechanisms, limited access to protected and monitored water sources and a general lack of sanitation infrastructure.