Diseases A-Z

Cholera

• More info/links
• Reporting

Cholera is an acute, diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but sometimes it can be severe. Approximately one in 20 infected persons has severe disease characterized by profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, and leg cramps. In these persons, rapid loss of body fluids leads to dehydration and shock. Without treatment, death can occur within hours. Also see: Vibrio infection.

More info/links

The CDC fact sheet answers some common questions about cholera.

Disease reporting

Health care providers and clinical laboratories are required by law to report cases and suspect cases of cholera to local health departments within 24 hours of identification. On weekends and holidays, call 971-673-1111 to reach the state health department doctor on call. Cases are subject to restriction on school and day-care attendance, food handling, and patient care for the duration of any diarrhea and/or vomiting.

Disease reporting form for health-care practitioners (PDF 42K)

Go to our disease reporting page for information on how to report and for telephone numbers of local health departments.

For county health departments:

Report forms

• Other Vibrio Infection (CDC) — Use for all Vibrio infection (cholera, vulnificus, etc.), except Vibrio parahaemolyticus (PDF 147K)
• Vibrio parahaemolyticus (PDF 69K)
• Vibrio vulnificus supplemental form — Use together with the CDC Other Vibrio Infection form above (PDF 26K)