Endemicity of cholera among rural areas of Loni, Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra.

A total of 130 Vibrio cholerae strains isolated during November 1989 to December 1992 from the rural population of Loni areas--Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra were characterised. Of these isolates, 124 were El tor vibrios serotype Ogawa, and 6 were El tor vibrios serotype Inaba. One hundred twenty two strains belonging to T4 phage, while 8 strains of El tor vibrio serotype Ogawa were untypable. All the strains isolated, showing haemolytic and non-haemolytic colony variants of El tor V. cholerae, and had resistance of one or more antibiotics. Maximum incidence was observed in November-December, the illness had a mild onset and no fatality was reported.