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How is cholera prevented?
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Nonspecific prevention of cholera
Non-specific prevention of cholera is aimed at providing the population with safe drinking water, disinfecting wastewater, sanitary cleaning and improvement of populated areas, informing the population. Employees of the epidemiological surveillance system carry out work to prevent the introduction of the pathogen and its spread on the territory of the country in accordance with the rules of sanitary protection of the territory, as well as a planned study of water in open water bodies for the presence of cholera vibrio in sanitary protection zones of water intakes, places of mass bathing, port waters, etc.
Analysis of data on cholera incidence, examination and bacteriological testing (as indicated) of citizens arriving from abroad are carried out.
According to international epidemiological rules, persons arriving from countries with a high incidence of cholera are subject to five-day observation with a single bacteriological examination.
A comprehensive plan of anti-epidemic measures is being implemented in the outbreak, including hospitalization of patients and vibrio carriers, isolation of those who have been in contact and medical observation of them for 5 days with 3-fold bacteriological examination. Routine and final disinfection is being carried out.
Specific prevention of cholera
For specific prevention, a cholera vaccination is used - a cholera vaccine and cholera toxoid. Vaccination against cholera is carried out according to epidemiological indications. The cholera vaccine, containing 8-10 vibrios in 1 ml, is administered subcutaneously, the first time 1 ml, the second time (after 7-10 days) 1.5 ml. Children 2-5 years old are administered 0.3 and 0.5 ml. 5-10 years - 0.5 and 0.7 ml, 10-15 years - 0.7-1 ml, respectively. Cholerogen toxoid is administered once a year strictly subcutaneously below the angle of the scapula. Revaccination is carried out according to epidemiological indications not earlier than 3 months after the primary immunization. Adults need 0.5 ml of the preparation (also 0.5 ml for revaccination), children from 7 to 10 years old - 0.1 and 0.2 ml, respectively. 11-14 years - 0.2 and 0.4 ml, 15-17 years - 0.3 and 0.5 ml. The International Certificate of Vaccination against Cholera is valid for 6 months after vaccination or revaccination.