Molecular subtyping in cholera outbreak, Laos, 2010.

A cholera outbreak in Laos in July 2010 involved 237 cases, including 4 deaths. Molecular subtyping indicated relatedness between the Vibrio cholerae isolates in this and in a 2007 outbreak, uncovering a clonal group of V. cholerae circulating in the Mekong basin.

A cholera epidemic in Sekong Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic, December 2007-January 2008.

Recent large-scale outbreaks in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) were reported in 1993 and 1994 and from 2000 to 2002. On December 23, 2007, a drastic increase in acute watery diarrhea patients at a health center in Sekong Province was reported to the provincial health office. An outbreak investigation was initiated to understand the magnitude of the outbreak, identify new cases, identify the suspected causal agent, implement control measures, and prevent new cases.