A clinical trial involving an inexpensive oral vaccine has proven to be effective in preventing cases of cholera.
Findings of a major study which appeared in The Lancet on Wednesday showed that the vaccine, given to more than 260,000 participants, reduced cholera cases by 37%, according to BBC News.
The study was conducted near Dhaka, Bangladesh, where outbreaks were reportedly rampant during the rainy season. The participants are also at high risk of developing cholera due to poor sanitation and overcrowding.
For the study, participants were randomly grouped into three: the first group received the vaccine called Shancol; the second received the same vaccine and were also encouraged to observe proper hygiene and drink clean water; and the third did not receive any intervention.
According to the results, cholera cases were reduced by 37% for the first group and 45% for the second group. The most fatal cases of the disease were reduced by 53% and 58% for the first and second groups, respectively.
"Our findings show that a routine oral cholera vaccination program in cholera-endemic countries could substantially reduce the burden of disease and greatly contribute to cholera control efforts," said Dr. Firdausi Qadri, lead author of the study.
Other cholera vaccines were used in previous cases, but they didn't prove to be as effective. According to The New York Times, injectable vaccines developed several years ago only offered 25% protection, so it did not prevent illnesses effectively.
The World Health Organization also uses an oral vaccine for cholera, called Dukoral, which was developed in Sweden in 2001, but it is expensive and will not be practical for slum areas and refugee camps. However, Shancol is cheap and according to Qadri, it only costs $3.70 for two doses.
Despite the availability of a cheap and promising vaccine for cholera, the best way to battle cholera is through access to clean water and proper sanitation.
