Key facts
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease that can kill within hours if left untreated.
Researchers have estimated that there are 1.4 to 4.3 million cases, and 28 000 to 142 000 deaths worldwide1 due to cholera every year.
Up to 80% of cases can be successfully treated with oral rehydration salts.
Provision of safe water and sanitation is critical to control cholera and other waterborne diseases.
Oral cholera vaccines are an additional way to control cholera, but should not replace conventional control measures.