Section 2 Cholera

Introduction of Cholera

Cholera is an international quarantinable disease. In China cholera is managed as an infectious disease of Class A according to the Law for Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases，and a quarantinable disease according to the Regulations on Domestic Communications Health Quarantine.Cholera is an emergency disease spreading extensively and rapidly，and can cause extensive or even worldwide pandemic. Cholera patients and carriers are infection sources that disseminate Vibrio choleraevia water，food，contact or etc. All people are susceptible to cholera. Although cholera predominantly infects people living in coastal areas，particularly around outlets of estuaries and waterway areas，it also threatens people living in hinterland，tablelands，mountainous areas and even deserts. In most regions of China，cholera takes place from Apr. through Nov.，reaching peak during Jul. through Oct.

Cholera is an acute intestinal infectious disease that is caused by O₁serogroup（including Classical biotype and El Tor biotype）and non-O₁O₁₃₉serogroup. Cholera has an incubation period varying from several hours to 5 days，with 1-2 days being the most common. Cholera is characterized by massive diarrhea without pain or rectal tenesmus. Cholera patients have loose stools several times or dozens of times a day. The stool appears yellow，watery or ricewater. This diarrhea is often followed by vomiting，without fever. A few patients lose mass water and electrolytes，resulting in dehydration，circulation failure，electrolyte disorder and metabolic acidosis. Diagnosis of cholera rests upon epidemiological data，clinical manifestations or lab tests，including pathologic diagnosis and clinical diagnosis. For the criteria of diagnosis，please refer to the National Standards for Diagnosis of Cholera.

霍乱流行病学个案调查表

Epidemiological Questionnaire for Cases of Cholera

Questionnaire

（本节编者-王大虎　本节核对-马蒙蒙　孙艺）