Talking Cancer Neanderthal's Gift Of Speech Asthma Vaccine Trials Vibrio cholerae Earlier this year scientists decoded the genome of the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, the cause of cholera. Millions around the world have died because of this microbe and it is hoped that the detailed genetic information now available will allow new treatments and vaccines to be developed. Vibrio cholerae is found in drinking water contaminated with human faeces. The bacterium attacks the gut and patients suffer severe diarrhoea. This leads to a rapid loss of fluid and important body chemicals.
Death can occur as quickly as a few hours after the onset of symptoms.