Introduction:
Cholera is an acute, secretory diarrhoea caused by infection with Vibrio choleraeof the O1 or O139 serogroup.
It is endemic in more than 50 countries &causes large epidemics.
Since 1817, seven cholera pandemics have spread from Asia to much of the world.
The seventh pandemic began in 1961 &affects 3–5 million people each year, killing 120 000.
Although mild cholera can be indistinguishable from other diarrhoeal illnesses, the presentation of severe cholera is distinct, with pronounced diarrhoeal purging. 2| Cholera | 3 October 2012