Cholera outbreak in Yemen elucidated using genomics

The seventh cholera pandemic has been affecting world regions since 1961. In successive waves, Vibrio cholerae bacteria have been accompanying humans in their travels and migrations, sometimes triggering devastating outbreaks, as is currently the case in Yemen. But what migratory pathways do these bacteria generally adopt? Can we monitor, or even anticipate, cholera outbreaks at global level? In an attempt to address these questions, scientists from the Institut Pasteur and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, in collaboration with several international institutions, turned their attention to the cholera epidemic currently affecting Yemen. Using genomics tools, they were able to solve the mystery surrounding the history of the epidemic strain. Their research confirms that it is possible to gain a comprehensive overview of Vibrio cholerae circulation. The results were published in the journal Nature.

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