The Origin of the Haitian Cholera Outbreak Strain

A comparison of the genomes of two “outbreak” Vibrio cholerae isolates from Haiti with those of other isolates indicates that this outbreak strain is distinct from circulating Latin American isolates and bears striking similarity to recent isolates from South Asia. The outbreak of cholera that began in Haiti in late October 2010 illustrates the continued public health threat of this ancient scourge. 1 Cholera, an acutely dehydrating diarrheal disease that can rapidly kill its victims, is caused by Vibrio cholerae, a gram-negative bacterium. 2 This disease, which is usually transmitted through contaminated water, can and has spread in an explosive fashion. In the weeks since cases were first confirmed in the Artibonite province of Haiti on October 19, 2010, the disease has reached all 10 provinces in Haiti and has spread to the neighboring Dominican Republic on the island of Hispaniola. Of . . .