Cholera, ¿ is a new pandemy approaching?

Abstract

Background. Cholera is a bacterial disease that has caused epidemics, death and desolation since the dawn of humanity. Nowadays, even with the advances of science, it remains as a deadly threat to humans, particularly for those living under conditions of poverty, with little access to clean water and sanitation, and hence its interest to international public health. It is considered that seven or eight cholera pandemics have already occurred during the last 200 years, the last of them around 20 years ago. However, an outbreak of cholera was reported in 2010, after the earthquake in Haiti since some cases from Nepal, and it has been expanding as an epidemic wave through Dominican Republic, Cuba and recently Mexico. The spread of this epidemic has become a concern for every American country, particularly for Colombia whose health staff, young and inexperienced, might not be prepared to face it. Methods. We did an online research for literary newsletters, press reviews or public statements related to cholera, especially in Colombia, along with a scientific search update on pathological, clinical and microbiological Cholera characteristics relevant to the area of public health. Objective. To review the literature about Cholera, with emphasis on epidemiology and basic concepts of diagnosis and management of the event, in order to prepare the scientific community to deal with what seems to be a new pandemic. Conclusions. Advances in science have been useful for monitoring epidemics, develop and test vaccines, reduce fatality rates of 70% to less than 1% if appropriate and opportune medical management is recieved. But the fear of further outbreaks and epidemics remains latent, particularly epidemics such as those in Haiti, Dominican Republic, Guinea Bissau and South Sudan. It is necessary to raise the performance of preventive measures in communities and assess the readiness of health systems to deal with the eventual arrival of the disease in the territory.