The spokesperson for the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate (GIS), Marek Waszczewski, announced that “the patient in Lublin is suspected of having vibriosis, which is caused by the same group of bacteria as cholera.” Test results are expected on Monday. The patient’s condition is stable. Two individuals are under quarantine.
The patient was admitted to a hospital in Lublin, where tests detected the genetic material of Vibrio cholerae, the cholera bacterium. In line with applicable regulations, the State Sanitary Inspection was notified upon detection of this bacterium.
GIS spokesperson Marek Waszczewski clarified that “tests performed at the hospital detect only the presence of the Vibrio bacterium, but not whether it is toxigenic or not.” The toxigenic strain causes cholera, while the non-toxigenic strain leads to a milder gastrointestinal infection.
Waszczewski stated that “in the case of the Lublin patient, it is likely the non-toxigenic strain of the bacterium, as doctors report the patient’s condition is improving rapidly.”
“There is no reason to panic. The patient’s clinical condition suggests infection with the Vibrio bacterium, but of the non-toxigenic type. We are awaiting confirmation. The test results may be available on Monday,” said the GIS spokesperson.
He added that “in the Lublin case, there is in fact no suspicion of cholera. We suspect vibriosis, which is caused by the same group of bacteria,” he emphasized.
Vibrioses are infections in humans and animals caused by Vibrio species other than those responsible for cholera. In humans, vibriosis may be caused by the non-toxigenic form of Vibrio cholerae.
Waszczewski emphasized that “when Vibrio cholerae is detected, sanitary authorities are required to act as if there is a threat of cholera until detailed tests rule it out.” In accordance with these procedures, two members of the patient’s immediate family have been placed under quarantine. These individuals must remain at home. Six other individuals are under so-called epidemiological supervision, which means their health is being monitored and they are required to report any symptoms. Quarantine and epidemiological supervision are in place for five days.
Vibriosis usually causes gastrointestinal infections. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, which may be accompanied by abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, or chills. Symptoms typically appear about 24 hours after consuming contaminated food or water and last for approximately three days.
The patient in whom Vibrio cholerae was detected is a 65-year-old resident of Łęczna County.
“The patient has not traveled anywhere recently. He was admitted to our facility with gastrointestinal symptoms,” said Professor Krzysztof Tomasiewicz, head of the Department of Infectious Diseases at University Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Lublin, speaking to PAP on Friday. The patient’s condition is stable.
“The gastrointestinal symptoms have subsided. Everything is under control,” the specialist noted.
Professor Tomasiewicz said that samples for further testing were sent to the National Institute of Hygiene in Warsaw.
“We are waiting for test results to determine whether this bacterium can produce toxins. Only then will we be able to say whether it is cholera or not,” he said.
On Saturday, a female patient with suspected cholera was admitted to the provincial hospital in Szczecin. Waszczewski reported on Friday to PAP that “the preliminary results for this patient indicate it is definitely not cholera.”
According to the National Institute of Public Health – National Research Institute, cholera cases in Poland are extremely rare.
In 80 percent of cholera cases with symptoms, the course is mild or moderate. In 10–20 percent of patients, acute watery diarrhea leads to severe dehydration, which may result in acute kidney failure, severe electrolyte imbalances, and death. However, among properly treated patients, cholera’s fatality rate is about 1 percent, emphasized NIZP-PZH. Treatment primarily involves administering rehydration solutions—both oral and intravenous electrolytes. In severe cases, antibiotics are used.
Globally, from January 1 to May 2, over 111,000 cases of cholera were reported, including 1,500 deaths—according to data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). From March to May, the highest number of cholera deaths occurred in Angola – 247, Sudan – 62, Mozambique – 29, Ethiopia – 15, and Zimbabwe – 10, the report stated.
Cholera is a vaccine-preventable disease. The vaccine is recommended for children over the age of two and adults who plan to travel to or stay in cholera-endemic countries, as well as for healthcare personnel and emergency services.