Bacteriology at the Periphery of the Cholera Pandemic

Abstract

The present pandemic of cholera has spread even to Britain. During the past few years several imported cases have occurred. The disease has not become endemic and it is to be hoped that it never will. Nevertheless the occurrence of fourteen cases since the first recognized importation in 1970, as well as the occurrence of cases elsewhere in Europe, has drawn attention to the danger. As a result preparations have been made to deal with this new invasion into a country on the periphery of the cholera pandemic. It may be of help to others to know something of these arrangements. Although in England up to the present no case has been severe, there has been concern that even in such a country as England, with a National Health Service providing hospitals in nearly every town and with ambulances available at a moment’s notice, someone might die simply because of ignorance of the disease, of the speed and severity of the dehydration and of the need for rapid, adequate and correct rehydration. One holidaymaker from England was taken ill in North Africa in the early hours of the morning and was dead the same evening. The body was brought back to England and cholera vibrios were isolated post-mortem. This incident has served as a reminder that cholera is still a killer. In the West there is much to be learned from those who have had long experience of this disease.