Cholera in Pakistan

On 17 June 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued an update on the continuing cholera outbreak in Pakistan, with 290 cases reported as of 27 May 2022. A total of 234 cases have been reported in Sindh province, Balochistan province reported 31 cases, including nine deaths, while 25 cases were reported in the Panjab province. 

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of faecally contaminated food or water, and occasionally from foodstuffs such as shellfish. 

Advice for travellers 

Severe cholera is rare in travellers, with mild cases may present as travellers' diarrhoea. 

Travellers should be given advice on: 

• maintaining safe food and water precautions 
• effective hand hygiene
• basic steps in self-treating diarrhoea, particularly remaining adequately hydrated 

Vaccination against cholera is dependent on the individual risk assessment, but may be considered for: 

• volunteers, humanitarian workers and medical personnel travelling to disaster relief situations where cholera outbreaks are likely 
• travellers with remote itineraries in areas where cholera outbreaks are occurring and there is limited access to medical care 

More information on cholera can be found on the TRAVAX (for health professionals) and fitfortravel (for the general public) webpages. 

Sources: TRAVAX, 21 June 2022 and fitfortravel, 21 June 2022