On October 7, 2010, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) received a report of a cholera case.V. cholerae O1 Ogawa was confirmed in the case. The case is a 56-year-old male who resides in Taipei City and has a history of immunodeficiency disease.On September 27, the case ate sashimi at a sushi restaurant.On September 28, he developed watery stool and had diarrhea up to forty times a day.However, the friend of the case who had the same sashimi has not developed suspected symptoms.The case has been treated, fully recovered and discharged from the hospital.According to Taiwan CDC, a total of 4 cases of cholera have been confirmed so far this year.The first case confirmed in June, 2010 resides in Taoyuan County, the second case confirmed in August resides in Pingtung County and the third case confirmed in August resides in Taichung City. V. cholerae O1 Ogawa was also confirmed in all three cases.Nevertheless, according to the epidemiological investigation, the cases are not epidemically related.

Cholera is an acute bacterial intestinal infection.The incubation period varies from a few hours to 5 days.It is usually 2 to 3 days.Symptoms include watery stool, vomiting, rapid loss of body fluids that results in dehydration, acidosis and circulation failure.Symptoms vary from person to person.Since hospitals and healthcare facilities in Taiwan adhere to strict medical hygiene procedures, most patients recover from their illness after receiving proper medical treatment. Transmission of cholera usually occurs through the fecal-oral route.A person may get cholera by drinking water or eating food contaminated with the cholera bacterium.Eating undercooked and contaminated seafood or mixing raw food with cooked food can result in cholera infection.The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but sometimes it can be severe.The severity of the illness depends on the amount of bacteria ingested and the patient’s level of immunity.High risk groups include elderly, patients with chronic illness, cancer patients, immunosupressed people, people with insufficient stomach acid and people who had their stomach removed.

Taiwan CDC urges the public to pay attention to food and water hygiene.To prevent cholera, people are advised to take the following steps: consume thoroughly cooked food, store food safely and refrigerate when necessary, avoid cross-contamination-mixing raw food with cooked food, and drink only boiled or bottled water.In addition, high risk groups should avoid eating raw fish and vegetables to reduce the chance of infection.Physicians are urged to report suspected case within 24 hours of diagnosis.If suspected symptoms develop, please seek immediate medical attention.For any questions or further information on cholera, please call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline 1922, or visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw.