ROLE OF ASYMPTOMATIC CARRIER IN THE PROPAGATION OF EL-TOR CHOLERA

In the summer of 1990, an epidemiological survey was conducted in the course of El Tor cholera epidemic. It studied the impact of the asymptomatic carrier on the propagation of the disease in the household. It compared the number of secondary cases appeared in two groups of households where one case of cholera and one asymptomatic carrier at least were confirmed. In one group the asymptomatic carriers were treated with an anti-infectious drug (cyclines or furazolidone) and in the second one the carriers received a placebo. The choice of treatment was done at random. The results revealed that the average period of carriage was of 6.4 +/- 3.1 days. This study showed also that there was no significant difference in the occurence of secondary cases in both groups. This study reinforce the idea that the asymptomatic carrier had not a major role in the propagation of cholera in the course of El Tor cholera epidemic.