Cholera Epidemiology, Management and Control in the SubSaharan Africa

Cholera is a very devastating disease caused by a mono-flagellated gram negative bacillus called Vibrio cholera. It is currently endemic in Africa most especially the sub-Saharan part where the organism thrives well under the favourable climatic condition of the region, thereby causing havoc especially among children and women. In spite of the various interventions, the disease poses a great burden in Africa as aggravated by many influencing factors present in the region. This review presents crucial aspects of the disease that are of importance to stakeholders. Specifically, it covers the history of cholera and the biology of Vibrio cholera including the serogroups and virulence factors. The etiology, transmission and prevalence of the disease are thoroughly reviewed. All the information obtained from past literatures which have been combined in this report have broadened our knowledge on the current approaches needed in the treatment and management of cholera as well as the various control mechanisms as standard guidelines in the alleviation of the disease in the sub-Saharan Africa.