Epidemiology of Vibrio cholerae, Taiwan, 2016

We analyzed the diagnostics, epidemiologic data, and DNA fingerprint patterns of Vibrio cholerae isolates in 2016, based on the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System of Taiwan Centers for Disease Control. A total of 352 samples were collected, including 230 clinical samples (from 60 suspected cases and 170 contacts) and 122 isolates from different hospitals. Of these 352 samples, 11 isolates were tested positive for toxigenic V. cholerae O1 serotype Ogawa. Among the positive subjects, 7 were male and 4 were female, ranging from 13 to 82 years of age. Five of six (83.3%) patients over 65 years old had diabetes, hypertension or other chronic diseases. Case investigation showed that all confirmed cases had consumed raw seafood or cross-contaminated cooked food via unwashed cutting boards. The fingerprint patterns of isolates were submitted to the database of US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and we found that these isolates with VcN09.012: VcX01.015 pattern were similar to isolates from Guam, Philippines, and Korea. This finding revealed that this V. cholerae Ogawa group might have circulated in Pacific Rim. The public health systems were well established in Taiwan. Personal hygiene and good sanitation are keys to cholera prevention.