1846–1860 cholera pandemic

The cholera pandemic of 1846–1860 was the third global pandemic of the deadly infectious disease, cholera, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Originating in India, the outbreak spread rapidly through trade routes and burgeoning urban centers across Europe, North America, and parts of Africa. Characterized by severe diarrhea and dehydration, cholera posed significant public health challenges, leading to the establishment of rudimentary sanitation reforms in many affected regions. The pandemic was marked by waves of infections, with major outbreaks recorded in cities such as Paris, London, and New York. Although the pandemic began to wane around 1860, its impact spurred advances in epidemiology and public health policies, shaping modern responses to infectious diseases.