site.btaImported Cholera Case Registered in Bulgaria

An imported case of cholera has been registered in Bulgaria, the Health Ministry said in a press release on Friday. The infected is a 23-year-old Indian citizen living in Bulgaria, who travelled to New Delhi between August 13 and September 2.

The patient fell ill on September 3, suffering from acute diarrhea, without manifestation of other complaints. The patient underwent a laboratory examination, which was subsequently confirmed at the National Centre for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases. The confirmed case was reported by Sofia Regional Health Inspectorate (SRHI).

The infected patient is in good general condition and has been isolated at the Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Prof. Ivan Kirov. The patient’s cohabitant, identified by the SRHI as a close contact, has been placed under compulsory quarantine in the same hospital.

No other contacts were identified during the epidemiological investigation.

Cholera is an extremely virulent disease transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food or water. Cholera can cause severe diarrhea, dehydration, and even death if the disease goes untreated. 

The latest case of cholera in Bulgaria was recorded in 1921 and was imported as well. 

Thanks to the purification and chlorination of drinking water, the disease was almost eradicated in Europe. However, the number of cholera cases reported to the World Health Organisation has remained high over the last few years, mainly due to outbreaks in Africa and South America.