COVID-19 and the History of Pandemics: Cholera

Learn about the public health consequences of cholera outbreaks and how scientific knowledge of disease control has evolved as a weapon of prevention. Until the early 19th century, cholera was limited to the delta of the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers in India. This rapid-onset disease, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, was much-feared for its ability to inflict agony and humiliation—victims were gripped by vomiting, uncontrollable diarrhea, extreme dehydration, and oxygen deficiency—before causing death, often within a day. British colonization of India, religious pilgrimages among members of various Indian sects, and the advent of long-distance transportation combined to initiate the spread of cholera throughout the rest of the world, leading to seven successive cholera pandemics, beginning in 1817 and still existing in modern times. In this course, you will study specific cholera outbreaks, see the trajectory of public and cultural perception of the disease over two centuries, learn about the crucial role of sanitation and its proponents in mitigating the disease, and explore how inequality of resources leaves certain populations, governments, and economies vulnerable in its wake.

Learning Objectives

• Trace the mechanisms of cholera transmission and the evolution of its epidemiology.
• Compare societal and governmental responses to cholera across history.
• Assess how past responses to cholera inform modern public health strategies.

Prior Learning

This noncredit course is beginner-friendly, with no prior expertise required. However, to ensure success, students should:

• Be comfortable reading and understanding English, as all materials are provided in English.
• Have basic computer skills, including navigating the internet, downloading/uploading files, installing software, and using applications like Microsoft Word.

These foundational skills will help you engage fully with our primarily online courses.

About the Series

This is the fifth course of the COVID-19 and the History of Pandemics series. This series offers a deep dive into six pandemics that profoundly altered human history. This interdisciplinary exploration connects the dots between scientific advances, cultural shifts, and governmental policies, revealing how societies have historically confronted widespread disease. By enrolling in the entire series, you’ll gain a nuanced perspective on pandemics as recurring phenomena, equipping you with a broader understanding of how past events inform present and future challenges. Together, these courses reveal the resilience, ingenuity, and cautionary tales that pandemics bring to light.