Outbreak-associated Vibrio cholerae Genotypes with Identical Pulsotypes, Malaysia, 2009

Cindy Shuan Ju Teh, Zarizal Suhaili, King Ting Lim, Muhamad Afif Khamaruddin, Fariha Yahya, Mohd Hailmi Sajili, Chew Chieng Yeo, and Kwai Lin Thong

Author affiliations: University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (C.S.J. Teh, K.T. Lim, K.L. Thong); and Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia (Z. Suhaili, M.A. Khamaruddin, F. Yahya, M.H. Sajili, C.C. Yeo)

Abstract

A cholera outbreak in Terengganu, Malaysia, in November 2009 was caused by 2 El Tor Vibrio cholerae variants resistant to typical antimicrobial drugs. Evidence of replacement of treatable V. cholerae infection in the region with antimicrobial-resistant strains calls for increased surveillance and prevention measures.

Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera, is endemic in many parts of the world, especially in countries that lack clean water supplies and adequate public health facilities (1). In Malaysia, cholera outbreaks caused by the El Tor O1 V. cholerae serogroup occur periodically, cases from the 0139 serogroup occur sporadically, and the non–O1/non–O139 V. cholerae serogroup has not been implicated in any major outbreak (2–4). Contaminated drinking water, cooked food, and raw or undercooked seafood served as vehicles of transmission in Malaysia (5).