Cholera (First Pandemic) – 1817-1824

The First Cholera Pandemic was the first big cholera outbreak. Cholera is a bacterial infection that mostly affects the intestines and, if left untreated, can result in severe dehydration and even death. This pandemic, which started in India between 1817 and 1824 and extended to regions of Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa, killed about a million people.

Origins and Spread: The Bengal region of India’s Ganges Delta is where the pandemic is said to have started. The disease spread from its location of origin along trade routes, both land and water. Major cities were affected, and it also extended to nearby areas. Poor sanitation and tainted water supplies, which are favourable environments for the cholera bacterium, were chiefly blamed for the disease’s rapid spread.

Leg cramps, vomiting, and abrupt onset diarrhoea are all signs of cholera. Severe dehydration can develop as a result of an abrupt loss of body fluids, which can cause a sharp drop in blood pressure, shock, and death if untreated. Alarmingly, the disease advances so quickly that a person may begin to exhibit symptoms in the morning and pass away by the evening.

Impact: The First Cholera Pandemic served as a wake-up call for many areas, emphasising the value of proper sanitation and access to clean water. During the first pandemic, the illness was mostly regarded as a threat to the East, but successive outbreaks in the 19th century would extend to Europe and the Americas, drawing attention to the illness on a worldwide scale.

There were major interruptions to daily life in the impacted communities. The disease’s fear resulted in the stigmatisation of afflicted people and communities. As a result of epidemics, trade and travel were affected, and there were numerous instances of social unrest and public disturbances.

Modern Knowledge: The bacteria Vibrio cholerae, which is generally present in water polluted by faeces, is the cause of cholera. In many regions of the world, especially those with poor access to sanitary facilities and clean water, the disease continues to pose a serious threat. Cholera is, however, easily cured and avoided because of advancements in medical science.

There are vaccines available that offer protection against the sickness, and oral rehydration therapy, which entails drinking water with salts and sugars, has proven to be a very effective treatment.

A string of cholera pandemics that occurred in the late 19th and early 20th centuries were sparked by the First Cholera Pandemic. The repeated nature and global spread of the illness served as a major impetus for public health programmes and global sanitation improvements.