- Case counts (2016-2025), population estimates (2016-2023), & population projections (2024-2025): Public Health Ontario.
- Query: Case counts of reportable diseases by public health unit and year. Toronto, ON: Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion; extracted on March 9, 2026.
Cholera
Cholera is a bacterial illness caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the bacteria Vibrio cholerae. This disease is rare in Ontario and is usually acquired in countries with poor sanitation. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, including profuse watery diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. The resulting loss of fluids can rapidly lead to severe dehydration and requires urgent treatment.
Local Information
2025 Statistics
Incidence rate is the number of new cases of disease divided by the number of persons at risk for the disease during a particular time period.
Cases:
0*
Incidence rate per 100,000 in 2025: 0
*Includes confirmed cases in 2025.
Incidence rate per 100,000 of cholera by year
More Information about cholera
Report to the Health Unit within one business day by fax (705-482-0670) or phone at 705-474-1400 or toll free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5229 if cholera is suspected or confirmed as per Ontario Regulation 135/18 and amendments under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O., c.H.7.
Should one go to childcare, school, or work if they have cholera?
Exclude symptomatic food handlers, healthcare providers, and childcare centre staff and attendees until symptom-free for 24 hours, or 48 hours after completion of antibiotic or anti-diarrheal medications.
Follow the direction of your healthcare provider, public health case manager, or occupational health at your workplace.
Vibrio cholera serogroup O1 is preventable by vaccination.
For protection against travellers' diarrhea:
- vaccination with cholera and travellers' diarrhea vaccine is of limited benefit and is not routinely recommended except for high-risk travellers.
Check your vaccination records or call the Vaccine Preventable Diseases program at 705-474-1400 or toll free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5252 to speak with a Public Health Nurse.
Healthcare provider information
Canadian Immunization Guide
Public Health Agency of Canada
Infection prevention and control
Use routine practices and additional precautions for hospitalized cases, including contact precautions for diapered or incontinent persons for the duration of the illness.
When possible, hospitalized individuals with diarrhea possibly due to cholera should not share toilet facilities with other patients.
Public Health Ontario
Ministry of Health - Ontario Public Health Standards
Public Health Agency of Canada
Contact our Communicable Disease Control (CDC) program at 705-474-1400 or toll free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5229, or by email to cdc@healthunit.ca for more information.
Last updated: May 2026, by CDC