Cholera in Nepal (Kathmandu Valley)

According to the Ministry of Health of Nepal, there have been 27 cases of cholera in the Kathmandu Valley between 16 June 2022 and 11 July 2022. Investigations have shown widespread contamination of drinking water in the Valley area.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of faecally contaminated food or water, and occasionally foodstuffs such as shellfish.

Advice for Travellers

Severe cholera is rare in travellers. Mild cases may present as travellers' diarrhoea.

All travellers should be given advice on:

• maintaining safe food and water precautions
• effective hand hygiene
• basic steps in self-treating diarrhoea, particularly remaining adequately hydrated

Vaccination against cholera is dependent on the individual risk assessment, but may be considered for:

• volunteers/humanitarian workers/medical personnel travelling to disaster relief situations where cholera outbreaks are likely
• travellers with remote itineraries in areas where cholera outbreaks are occurring and there is limited access to medical care

For further information see the TRAVAX Cholera page.