Updated: Chapter updated as shown in 'Update patch to Chapter 14: 5 December 2013'.
Chapter 14 update patches published before 1 April 2013.
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal illness caused by the gram-negative bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Following colonisation of the small bowel, V. cholerae produces an enterotoxin that causes secretion of fluid and electrolytes and leads to painless, watery diarrhoea. Cholera is characterised by the sudden onset of profuse, watery stools with occasional vomiting.