El Tor

The El Tor biotype is a subtype of the Vibrio cholerae bacterium, specifically belonging to the O1 serogroup, which is known to cause cholera. This biotype is distinct from the classical biotype, which was responsible for earlier cholera pandemics. The El Tor biotype is the cause of the seventh cholera pandemic, which began in the mid-20th century and continues today.1

Key characteristics of the El Tor biotype include its hardiness, allowing it to survive for extended periods in aquatic environments, and the fact that many infected individuals experience mild or no symptoms. This latter characteristic is epidemiologically significant because people with less severe symptoms are more likely to travel, thus contributing to the rapid spread of the disease across continents. Cholera itself is an intestinal disease transmitted through the fecal-oral route, primarily via contaminated water or food.1