Cholera: a modern view on the problem

Abstract

Cholera is an acute anthroponotic intestinal infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is characterized by a fecal-oral route of transmission, damage to the small intestine, watery diarrhea, vomiting, and rapid loss of fluid and electrolytes by the body with the development of varying degrees of dehydration up to hypovolemic shock and death. It is one of highly infectious diseases. It usually spreads in the form of epidemics. Endemic foci are located in Africa, South America, India, and Southeast Asia.