What is cholera?

Cholera is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium that affects the absorption of water in the small intestine. Severe cases of cholera will produce violent diarrhoea in just a couple of days, and the most dangerous aspect of the infection is loss of fluid.  Cholera is most dangerous in children in developing countries, and if untreated can cause fatal within 24 hours of contracting the disease.  Surprisingly, treatment of cholera is simple, and fluid can be easily replaced with the right mix of sugar, salts and water.  Severe cases of cholera need to be treated in hospital, where fluids will be administered to the bloodstream via a drip.

Cholera is related to standards of hygiene and the quality of drinking water. Interestingly, a single well in London in the 1850-60s was the source of several separate cholera epidemics.
Improved sanitation and hygiene are still the basic foundation of the fight against cholera in developing and third world countries where cholera most commonly occurs.

What causes cholera?

Cholera is caused by the bacterium, Vibrio cholerae.   When a large quantity of the bacteria pass into the stomach via food, they produce toxins which cause the symptoms of cholera. In addition to ordinary diarrhoea, the sufferer will also lose very large quantities of fluid which can result in serious illness and death if it goes untreated.

How is holiday illness cholera transmitted and is it possible to claim compensation?

Bacteria are excreted in faeces and if this comes into contact with drinking water, the bacteria can infect people. Bacteria can also spread to food if people don't wash their hands thoroughly after using the toilet. Believe it or not, the food prepared at the funeral of a cholera victim is a common source of secondary spread in Africa.  Commonly spread through fish and shellfish which are left to soak or cooked in contaminated water, cholera can spread to coastlines by contaminated algae. Although stomach acid can kill a certain amount of bacteria, a large number of bacteria in the stomach does constitute a risk.  If you have suffered cholera after a holiday in a package hotel or on board a holiday cruise ship, you may be able to claim compensation when you return to the UK.  If the outbreak of cholera was due to negligent and unhygienic practices in a hotel package hotel or on a cruise liner in The Dominican Republic, Spain, The Canary Islands, Tenerife, Malta, Greek Islands, Portugal, France or The Caribbean or Egypt, you can claim compensation in the UK.  After seeking medical help you should notify a personal injury solicitor who specialises in holiday accident and illness abroad.  A no win no fee solicitor will give you free advice and make a free assessment of your claim.  Don´t suffer in silence. You may be able to claim for holiday illness and loss of enjoyment of your holiday.

Where does holiday cholera occur?

Most common in Asia and Africa, regular cholera epidemics occur in densely populated areas with poor sanitation and bad standards of food hygiene storage and preparation.

What are the symptoms of cholera?

The incubation period from infection until the cholera symptoms show is usually less than 48 hours, but can be up to 5 days. Symptoms often start with ordinary diarrhoea.  Individuals can carry the disease without knowing, and pass it on. Stomach pains and mild fever are early symptoms of cholera, followed by vomiting and diarrhoea.  Up to one litre of fluid can be lost every hour during bouts of diarrhoea.

Danger signals of cholera on holiday

If fluid loss is not replaced and exceeds 5 litres, cholera can be fatal. Severe dehydration can cause unusually floppy skin, muscle cramps and a hoarse voice.  Consciousness can also be affected and sufferers invariably feel listless and confused. Convulsions and even cardiac arrest can follow if the symptoms are not treated.

Prospects after cholera

Sufferers of mild cases of cholera can pass quite quickly. Untreated, cholera has a high death rate, and over 60% of patients admitted to hospital in developing countries who have not received treatment die within days. If the illness is treated quickly and properly, the mortality rate is below 1 per cent and the patient recovers completely.

How can you avoid cholera infection on holiday?

•         Only drink bottled water or water that has been boiled or sterilised. Hot coffee and tea, fizzy water and other uncontaminated bottled drinks are usually safe enough to drink.

•         Boil all milk before you drink it.

•         Avoid ice cubes in drinks and ice cream unless you can be sure they were made from sterilised water.

•         Food must be properly prepared and piping hot when it is served.  Never eat food that has been allowed to stand at room temperature for several hours (take particular precaution with hotel package buffets and all-inclusive cruise ship buffets).

•         Avoid raw fish and shellfish.

•         Avoid raw fruit and vegetables, unless you wash and peel them yourself.

•         Don´t eat from street stalls. 

This advice will protect you, not just against cholera, but also against a whole range of bacteria that can cause unpleasant diarrhoea and food poisoning. Some bacteria produce toxins that are not destroyed by boiling, and that´s why correct food storage is just as important as food preparation.

Vaccination against cholera is now possible with the oral vaccine, Dukoral. This vaccine however does not provide 100 per cent protection against the cholera and people who have had the vaccine will still need to follow the measures outlined above to avoid illness. This vaccine is most likely to be suitable for backpackers and those travelling to situations where the risk of cholera is greatest, particularly in crowded areas with poor sanitation in the developing world.

What to do if you think you have caught cholera on holiday

If you think you have caught cholera you need to seek urgent medical advice. If you are nowhere near a medical centre or doctor´s surgery, and are experiencing violent diarrhoea, you need to consume large quantities of fluid with salt and sugar (non-fizzy cola drinks can help).  Two effective powders, which can be taken with water, to rehydrate you are Dioralyte, WHO sachets or Rehidrat.  If you are back-packing or travelling around regions where cholera is common, you should take either an oral vaccine along or a range of rehydration powders. To make the fluid yourself, you need about 1 litre of boiled water, 8 heaped teaspoons of sugar, half a teaspoon of salt and the juice of an orange or lemon.  When possible, seek medical help, even if you are feeling better, to make sure there are no lurking symptoms of the disease.  Cholera and typhoid fever can be avoided but if you contract either disease as a result of negligence in a holiday hotel or on board a cruise ship in Egypt, Turkey, Spain, France, Italy, The Caribbean, The Dominican Republic or in any destination in the world, you may be able to claim holiday illness compensation when you return to the UK.  Contact a personal injury solicitor who works on a no win no fee basis and specialises in holiday illness and accident claims.

The diagnosis of holiday cholera

Many diseases cause diarrhoea, but if it is violent, the doctor will treat you immediately. To make a definite diagnosis, the stools have to be examined by a doctor to detect the cholera bacteria.

How is cholera treated?

Severe cases of cholera must be treated in hospital. The first and most vital measure is to replace lost fluid and the speed in which you do it is of vital importance. During cholera epidemics, 90% of sufferers would avoid serious illness by drinking plenty of clean drinking water. The course of the disease can be shortened and diarrhoea stopped quickly by the administration of antibiotics.

Farnworth Rose Personal Injury Solicitors can help get you the compensation you deserve if you have suffered cholera on holiday through no fault of your own.  Working on a no win no fee basis, you pay nothing and you will get 100% of any compensation.  We are specialist in holiday illness and accident compensation. Contact us as soon as you return to the UK for a free claim assessment.  Call us free on 080001 54321 or fill in the online claim form today.

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