Research in Africa

Cholera continues to be an important disease worldwide. Places where cholera has been absent for decades have recently been plagued by cholera epidemics particularly in Africa. The bacterial agent – Vibrio cholerae is able to survive in different environments but, usually, water is the vehicle that promotes the dissemination of the disease. The appalling sanitary conditions and the lack of potable water in many parts of Africa creates an adequate environment for outbreaks.

Presently, cholera research work is carried in borewell water Guinea-Bissau (May-November 2008 epidemic), in river water S. Tomé and Principe, and in estauarine water in Portugal.