What We Do
Cholera poses a health risk primarily to travelers. Although it is rare in mainland France and generally results from imported cases, cholera can cause very severe symptoms.
Although the risks of infection and an outbreak are very limited in France, Santé publique France’s epidemiological surveillance requires early reporting of cases as soon as this infection is suspected in order to prevent its spread.
Epidemiological surveillance of cholera
Epidemiological surveillance of cholera through mandatory reporting
Cholera has been classified as a “reportable disease” since 1902. Through this system, which targets cases as soon as they are suspected, Santé publique France monitors the epidemiological trends of the disease to prevent its spread. Mandatory reporting involves collecting comprehensive information on all identified cases from laboratory technicians and physicians. In some cases, it involves two successive procedures: initial reporting followed by formal notification.
Physicians and laboratory professionals who suspect or diagnose a case of cholera must report it immediately and by any appropriate means (telephone, fax) to the physician at the Regional Health Agency (ARS) in their area of practice. The report allows the ARS physician to urgently implement individual and collective prevention measures around the cases and, if necessary, to initiate investigations to identify the source of the infection and take action to control it.
Notification occurs after the report and most often after confirmation of the diagnosis. Reporting physicians or laboratory professionals notify the ARS physician in their area of practice using a form specific to each disease. Notification enables the analysis and monitoring of the progression of these diseases within the population in order to better target local and national prevention efforts. Reporting varies depending on the case definition (reported or notified).
Definition of cases to be reported and notified
| Reported cases | Notifiable cases |
|---|---|
| Suspected cases : clinical presentation suggestive of cholera | |
|
Confirmed cases: clinically confirmed cases with identification of Vibrio cholerae at the National Reference Center for Vibrio and Cholera Report immediately by any means (phone, fax, email) |
Confirmed cases: suspected cases with identification of Vibrio cholerae at the National Reference Center for Vibrio and Cholera Report using the simple, downloadable notification form |
Notification Form
Informing the public about the reporting of notifiable diseases
The Ministry of Health is responsible for reporting confirmed cases to the World Health Organization.
Surveillance partners:
The Directorate General of Health (Ministry of Health)
Institut Pasteur - Research and Expertise Unit for Enteric Pathogenic
Bacteria 25-28 rue du Docteur Roux - 75724 Paris cedex 15
Name of the person in charge: François-Xavier WEILL
Tel.: 01 43 68 83 45
Email: francois-xavier.weill@pasteur.fr
Secretariat: 01 45 68 82 21 - Fax: 01 45 68 88 37
Email: vibrions@pasteur.fr
Website Clinical and Epidemiological
Information Sheet from the National Reference Center for Vibrio and Cholera
Preventing cholera through basic hygiene practices
To prevent cholera, Santé publique France highlights informational materials on:
Basic hygiene rules to limit the risk of infection
Cholera vaccination for healthcare professionals working with patients or in refugee camps during an epidemic.
Download
In relation to
Vaccination
thematic dossier
Contagious diseases most often affect children at a very young age. Because children are particularly vulnerable, they are a priority target for vaccination programs.
