Imma Perfetto
Cosmos science journalist
Imported “holy water” has been identified as the culprit behind multiple cholera outbreaks which were identified in Germany and the UK in February, and which landed 3 people in hospital with 1 in intensive care.
Genetic testing revealed the water was contaminated with a multidrug-resistant strain of the Vibrio cholerae, according to a new study in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Eurosurveillance which identified the source and most likely route of transmission.
The bacteria originated from the Bermel Giorgis “holy well” in the Amhara region of Ethiopia.
The site of pilgrimage attracts visitors from around the world who consume or bathe in the water for healing purposes. They also often take the water home.
Cholera is a gastrointestinal infectious disease which can be fatal if left untreated.
Ethiopia is experiencing an ongoing cholera outbreak which began in 2022, with more than 58,000 cases and 726 deaths reported as of February. The Bermel Giorgis holy well has recently been identified as a contamination source.
In the same month, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in Berlin and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in London identified 7 patients as being infected with the same strain in Europe.
In Germany, 2 of the individuals had travelled to, and acquired a small bottle of water from, the well in Bermel Girogis. Upon returning to Germany, they consumed it with the third person.
“All 3 individuals simultaneously developed acute watery diarrhoea and were hospitalised with vomiting and profuse watery stools. One patient required intensive care, but all recovered,” write the authors of the study.
Three of the 4 patients in the UK had independently reported having recently travelled to Ethiopia, with 1 specifically having made a 9-day trip to the well in Bermel Georgis.
According to the study, the fourth patient did not travel outside of the UK.
However, they “reported that they drank holy water from Ethiopia, brought back to the UK by the third patient, who also became ill after consuming the water in the UK.”
“Three were admitted to hospital and reported symptoms of watery diarrhoea, vomiting and dehydration, one needed intensive care for fluid resuscitation.”
All patients recovered.
The authors of the study say that the extension of a cholera outbreak in Africa causing a cluster of infections in Europe is unusual.
“The prevention of cholera requires sustained investment in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH),” they write.
“Low-income countries will continue to need overseas development aid support to control outbreaks and epidemics using effective WASH, surveillance, communications, diagnostics and countermeasure programmatic delivery.”
