There is no
cholera virus that infects humans. In humans, cholera is caused by bacteria (
Vibrio cholerae). A person may get cholera by drinking water or eating food that is contaminated with the cholera bacterium. There are two ways that
Vibrio cholerae usually gets into water or food:
- Contaminated feces
- Naturally.
However, there is a cholera virus that infects pigs. This hog cholera virus causes swine fever. Pigs cannot transmit the hog cholera virus to humans; therefore, contact with an infected pig will not put a person at risk for becoming ill.
(Click Hog Cholera to learn more about the hog cholera virus and swine fever.)