- Cholera is rare in the United States.
- The few US cases of cholera that occur each year are mostly associated with people returning from areas abroad where cholera is present.
- If you are traveling to an area where cholera is present, you must take steps to avoid getting sick.
Overview
Cholera was widespread in the United States in the 19th century. With modern water and sewage treatment systems, there are now typically fewer than 20 US cholera cases per year, most of which are related to travel to countries where cholera is prevalent.
American travelers can drink water or eat food containing cholera bacteria while abroad and then get sick after returning home. Symptoms usually appears 2-3 days after ingestion of cholera bacteria, but may appear within a few hours or up to 5 days.
Eating raw shellfish such as shrimp and crab can be a source of cholera. Some travelers have brought fish and shellfish home from abroad and become ill. Very rarely, residents of the United States have contracted cholera after eating raw or undercooked shellfish from the Gulf of Mexico.
Through its partnerships with state and local health departments, the CDC tracking US cholera cases. Cholera cases occurring in other countries are tracked in accordance with World Health Organization International Health Regulations.
If you are planning to travel, find out if you are going to a place where cholera is present and how to reduce your risk of getting sick.
