Spectrum of Illness in Haitians with Cholera

A cross-sectional study conducted in a rural commune in Haiti revealed that 9% of seropositive individuals had severe cholera, 17% had mild-to-moderate diarrhea, and nearly 75% were asymptomatic.

Toxigenic Vibrio cholerae O1, introduced into Haiti in October 2010, has caused a massive cholera outbreak. To characterize the spectrum of illness and identify risk factors for severe disease, investigators conducted a cross-sectional seroepidemiologic survey in a commune located along the Artibonite River (estimated population, 21,131; primarily residents of 13 villages), where the reported cholera attack rate from October 2010 through March 2011 was 18%.

Data were collected for 2622 residents aged ≥2 years from 1240 households; serum specimens were collected from 2527 (96%) of them for measurement of vibriocidal antibodies, indicating recent infection. The median age of participants was 23 years; 53% were literate; 10% had attended some s…

Reviewing Author

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Spectrum of Illness in Haitians with Cholera

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Reviewing Author