Preventing Cholera

The risk for cholera is very low for U.S. travelers visiting areas with epidemic cholera. When simple precautions are observed, contracting the disease is unlikely.

All travelers to areas where cholera has occurred should observe the following recommendations:

• Drink only water that you have boiled or treated with chlorine or iodine.
• Other safe beverages include tea and coffee made with boiled water and carbonated, bottled beverages with no ice.
• Eat only foods that have been thoroughly cooked and are still hot, or fruit that you have peeled yourself.
• Avoid undercooked or raw fish or shellfish, including ceviche.
  Make sure all vegetables are cooked avoid salads.
• Avoid foods and beverages from street vendors.
• Do not bring perishable seafood back to the United States.

A simple rule of thumb is "Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it."

Do you suspect that you have a foodborne or waterborne illness? Visit reporting suspected foodborne/waterborne illnesses.