Cholera Vaccine
Cholera
Cholera is a bacterial infection that causes profuse watery diarrhoea when Vibrio cholerae bacteria produce toxins. People usually get cholera by drinking contaminated water or eating tainted food, since humans are the only natural hosts. Poor sanitation, limited access to clean water, and challenging living conditions often trigger cholera outbreaks, particularly in many low-income countries.
Most travellers face a very low risk of cholera. However, certain activities increase the chance of infection, such as drinking untreated water, eating undercooked seafood, or staying in unsanitary conditions. Relief workers and travellers visiting disaster zones or refugee camps encounter a higher risk because these areas often lack safe water and proper sanitation.
Symptoms
Cholera can develop suddenly, often causing profuse, watery diarrhoea accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Without prompt treatment, this severe diarrhoea can quickly lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and shock. In the most serious cases, more than half of untreated patients may die within hours.
Fortunately, timely and effective treatment reduces mortality to less than 1%. Healthy individuals may experience only mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, but they can still spread the bacteria. Recognising cholera’s warning signs and seeking immediate medical care is vital to staying safe in high-risk areas.
Vaccination
Preventing cholera starts with good personal hygiene and careful attention to food and water safety. For travellers at higher risk, such as aid workers or those visiting areas with active cholera outbreaks, the oral, inactivated cholera vaccine, Dukoral®, is available in the UK.
Dukoral® protects against Vibrio cholerae serogroup O1 and offers extra protection when safe water or medical care is limited. While most travellers do not need the vaccine, it is highly recommended for people whose activities or medical conditions increase their risk.
The vaccine is given as two oral doses, spaced between one to six weeks apart, making it a practical preventative measure for high-risk travellers. Speak to our healthcare team for personalised advice on whether the cholera vaccine is right for your trip.
Book Your Cholera Vaccine
Protect yourself before travelling with a safe and effective cholera vaccination at North Manchester Travel Clinic. Our healthcare team will guide you through the vaccination process, give personalised advice on staying healthy abroad, and show you how to combine the vaccine with practical hygiene measures for maximum protection.
Price: £35 per dose (two oral doses)
Check which vaccines your destination recommends before you travel.
Book your appointment today to receive your cholera vaccine and other essential travel vaccinations, and travel with confidence knowing you can avoid cholera and other food- and water-borne illnesses.