Results of Faecal Examinations with Special Regard to Vibrios in Tourists Returning from the Same Area as a Verified Case of Cholera

Abstract

Three imported cases of cholera with classical symptoms were diagnosed in Sweden in 1971 and one in 1973. In 1973, when the clinical diagnosis was rapidly verified by bacteriological confirmation, an immediate investigation of about 700 fellow travellers revealed 9 other persons excreting cholera vibrios. A “silent” import of cholera from infected areas thus seems to occur. No secondary spread of the agent was observed. Other intestinal pathogens (vibrios, salmonellae and shigellae etc.) were found in 7% of the investigated tourists.