Cholera Vaccine in Ottawa
Recommended for aid workers and travellers with direct exposure risk in active outbreak areas of Africa and Asia.
What Is Cholera?
Cholera is an acute bacterial intestinal infection caused by Vibrio cholerae, transmitted mainly through ingestion of contaminated water or food. It is endemic in Africa and South and Southeast Asia, occurring primarily in areas with inadequate sanitation and limited access to clean drinking water. Risk for typical travellers is very low.
Most travellers on standard itineraries with proper accommodations who observe food and water precautions are at almost no risk of clinical cholera, even in highly endemic countries. Risk is highest for aid and refugee workers handling cholera patients and travellers in active outbreak zones.
Who Needs It?
Cholera vaccination is not recommended for general travellers. It is indicated for:
- Aid and refugee workers (including health care workers) in active outbreak areas
- Travellers with direct exposure risk in areas with very acute, uncontrolled epidemics
- Travellers with limited access to safe food and water for short stays in active outbreak zones
- Certain vulnerable populations going to endemic countries (e.g., those with medical conditions increasing risk)
Symptoms
In healthy travellers, cholera usually mimics ordinary traveller’s diarrhea. Symptoms develop 2–3 days after exposure (range: a few hours to 5 days) and include acute, watery diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Severe cholera with very high-volume diarrhea is very rare in travellers.
Consequences of Infection
Serious illness rarely occurs in travellers. Complications of severe dehydration include rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, muscle cramps, and altered mental status. With proper rehydration, the death rate is less than 1%. Antibiotic treatment used for traveller’s diarrhea is also effective for cholera.
Vaccine Information
In Canada, Dukoral is the available oral cholera vaccine, indicated for travellers 2 years and older. Adults and children 6+ receive 2 oral doses 1–6 weeks apart, completed at least 1 week before exposure. Children aged 2–5 receive 3 doses. A booster is given every 2 years for continued risk. The US vaccine (Vaxchora) is a single dose for travellers aged 2–64. Vaccination is not 100% effective — food and water precautions remain essential.
Side Effects
Most common: mild fatigue, headache, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Mild diarrhea may occur. Fever is more common with non-US vaccines.
Note: Strict food and water precautions are essentially 100% effective for typical travellers. Cholera vaccination does not replace these measures. Avoid raw shellfish, uncooked foods, and untreated water in endemic areas.
Ready to Protect Yourself Before You Travel?
Book a virtual consultation with an ISTM-certified physician — available 7 days a week. Vaccines administered at Orleans Travel Clinic Pharmacy in Ottawa.