A cholera outbreak investigation in Karaj district in 2008

Background & objectives: However outbreaks of cholera are not very common in central area of Iran, in 2008 district health authority reported a cluster of diarrhea cases. We investigated this cluster to identify the etiological agent, source of transmission and propose control measures. Methods: We defined a case of diarrhea as occurrence of > or =3 loose/watery stools a day among the residents of Karaj. Fifty four (54) cases were identified in health care centers and 106 healthy individuals as control. We conducted a gender- and age-matched case-control study to identify risk factors. Results: Vibrio cholerae El Tor O1 Inaba was isolated from all cases rectal swabs. during cholera epidemic outbreak in 2007, 54 cases of stool-culture were vibrio cholera, serotype Inaba positive. Using industrial-ice and fruits and vegetables were significantly associated with the illness (OR 4.4 and 3.3 respectively). Conclusions: This outbreak was due to a contaminated industrial-ice and contaminated vegetables and fruits and V. cholera 01 Inaba was possibly the causative organism. Therefore more prevention program and observation methods should be considered