Causes of Cholera
Causes of cholera centre around the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Once inside the body, the bacteria multiply and release a toxin that causes severe diarrhoea. Understanding the causes of cholera is essential for controlling outbreaks and preventing transmission.
1. Contaminated Water
The most common source is drinking or using water that contains Vibrio cholerae. This contamination often results from:
- Sewage leaks into water supplies
- Drinking from rivers or ponds without filtration
- Using untreated well water in affected areas
In regions with inadequate sanitation, the risk of contamination is especially high during floods or after natural disasters.
2. Contaminated Food | Causes of Cholera
Food can also become contaminated if:
- It is washed in dirty water
- It’s prepared with unwashed hands
- It’s stored or handled in unsanitary conditions
- Seafood, especially raw shellfish, is harvested from polluted waters
Improper food hygiene contributes significantly to cholera transmission in both households and street food settings.
3. Person-to-Person Spread (Rare)
Direct person-to-person transmission of cholera is uncommon, but sharing contaminated food or surfaces can still spread the bacteria.
4. Poor Sanitation and Hygiene
Environments without proper toilet facilities, hand-washing infrastructure, or waste disposal systems are ideal for cholera to spread. Refugee camps, crowded urban slums, and disaster zones are high-risk areas.
5. Travel to Affected Areas
Travellers to regions experiencing cholera outbreaks are at risk if they consume unboiled water, raw fruits or vegetables, or uncooked seafood.
6. Asymptomatic Carriers | Causes of Cholera
Some people infected with cholera may show no symptoms but still shed the bacteria in their stool, silently contributing to its spread.
Recognising the causes of cholera helps public health workers implement effective containment strategies, including clean water provision, hygiene promotion, and food safety education.
