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FAQ

How is cholera spread?

Page last updated 14 December 2021

Spreading cholera between person-to-person is unlikely, however, cholera is a disease often found in areas with poor sanitation, poor water treatment, and low levels of personal hygiene (mostly in developing countries).

Cholera is spread by:

  • drinking contaminated water
  • eating food contaminated by dirty water, soiled hands or flies
  • eating fish or shellfish from contaminated waters.

Sources & Citations

1. Australian Government Department of Health. The Australian Immunisation Handbook. Cholera. Available at: immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/vaccine-preventable-diseases/cholera (accessed 24 November 2021).

2. World Health Organization. Cholera. Available at: www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cholera (accessed 24 November 2021).

3. Queensland Health. Cholera Queensland Health Guidelines for Public Health Units. Available at: www.health.qld.gov.au/cdcg/index/cholera (accessed 24 November 2021).

MAT-AU-2102457   Date of preparation December 2021

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