Keeping up to date: Things to know in practice currently:

14th August: Sudan cholera outbreak kills 40 in a week as health centres overwhelmed

31st July 2025: 80,000 children at high risk of cholera as outbreaks spread across 12 countries in West and Central Africa

7th March 2025: Cholera cases reported in the United Kingdom and Germany linked to Ethiopia

On the 2nd August 2024 the GB chapter was updated. See it here. Vaxchora finally made it's GB debut.

2023 Vaxchora made an appearance with a UK license being granted- a single dose, LIVE oral vaccine. This has now doubled our options for cholera vaccines! (by-the-way Vaxchora has also been known as 'Orochol' and 'Mutacol' in other countries)

Vaccine Reminders:

Dukoral, is a killed, whole cell vaccine

• Adults and children from six years of age (two doses given orally):

  ● First dose of vaccine on day 0.

  ● Second dose at least one week later (if more than six weeks have elapsed between doses, the primary immunisation course should be re-started).

  Children from two to below six years of age (three doses given orally):

  ● First dose of vaccine on day 0.

  ● Second dose at least one week after the first dose.

  ● Third dose at least one week after the second dose (if more than 6 weeks have elapsed between doses, the primary immunisation course should be re-started).

• Must be taken on an empty stomach, with clean water

• Store refrigerated (2–8°C)

• Immunisation should be completed at least 1 week prior to potential exposure to V. cholerae

Vaxchora is a live, attenuated, single dose vaccine

• Adults and children from six years of age:

• A single oral dose should be administered at least 10 days prior to potential exposure to V. cholerae.

• Mix the sachets as described in the patient information leaflet with 100ml of cold or room temperature water in a cup.

• Children from two to below six years of age:

• A single oral dose should be administered at least 10 days prior to potential exposure to V. cholerae.

• Mix the sachets as described in the patient information leaflet with 100ml of cold or room temperature water in a cup. Half (50ml) of the buffer solution should then be discarded before proceeding to add in the active component sachet 2.

What is cholera anyway?

A bacterial infection caused by Vibrio cholerae, cholera leads to profuse watery diarrhoea. It’s a risk in places with poor sanitation, particularly after natural disasters or in refugee settings.

What happens If you catch it?

Sudden onset of painless, severe watery diarrhoea (rice water stools), vomiting, and rapid dehydration. Without rehydration, it can be fatal. Every year, it is estimated that 1.3 to 4 million people get cholera, and between 21,000 to 143,000 people die.

How does It Spread?

Faecal-oral route—contaminated water, food, or poor hygiene practices. Uncooked seafood and untreated water are common culprits.

Does getting cholera make you Immune?

Infection provides short-term immunity. Reinfection is possible. The vaccine offers partial protection and is mainly used for outbreak control or high-risk travel.

Can it be treated?

Yes. Rehydration is the cornerstone—oral or IV fluids. Antibiotics are used in severe cases to shorten duration and reduce spread.

Who’s most at risk?

• Aid workers, healthcare staff in outbreak zones

• Travellers to affected regions with limited access to clean water

• People with reduced stomach acid (e.g. on PPIs)

• Children and elderly with limited fluid reserves

• Travelers who consistently observe safe food, water, sanitation, and hand hygiene precautions have VERY low risk of infection.

Top reasons to support vaccination (when indicated):

• Reduces risk in high-exposure environments

• Protects those working in humanitarian or disaster zones

• May reduce severity and duration if infection does occur

• Shell fish can give you cholera!

• People who have low gastric acidity have a greater risk for infection, and they, along with those with blood type O, are at greater risk for developing severe disease if infected.

• Untreated cholera can cause rapid loss of body fluids, which can lead to severe dehydration, hypovolaemic shock, and death within hours. Prompt rehydration is hence the cornerstone of cholera treatment!

• Every year, it is estimated that 1.3 to 4 million people get cholera, and between 21,000 to 143,000 people die. But exact numbers are tricky because surveillance is often poor in the countries that suffer with it the most. Many outbreaks can go unreported.