On Friday, the Food and Drug Administration approved a vaccine for Americans between the ages of 18 and 64 traveling to regions impacted by cholera.
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine caused by the bacteria Vibrio cholerage. The infection occurs after an individual has consumed contaminated food or water. Cases can range from mild to extremely severe — severe cases are characterized by vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration. Cholera can be fatal if fluid replacement and antibiotic treatment are not quickly initiated.
The vaccine is called Vaxchora. It is a live, weakened vaccine that is administered orally through a single dose 10 days prior to travel. The vaccine displayed an efficacy rate of 90 percent after 10 days and 80 percent after three months in a randomized, placebo-controlled human challenge study of 197 U.S. volunteers.
Peter Marks, MD, PhD, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said, "The approval of Vaxchora represents a significant addition to the cholera-prevention measures currently recommended by the CDC for travelers to cholera-affected regions."
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