# Genomics reveals multiple introductions of the seventh pandemic Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor lineage into Iran since 1965

## TL;DR

Genomic analysis shows that cholera outbreaks in Iran since 1965 were caused by multiple introductions of a global strain from South Asia.

## Contribution

The study reveals multiple introductions of the seventh pandemic Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor lineage into Iran, rather than a single origin.

## Key findings

- Multiple sublineages of the seventh pandemic Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor lineage have caused cholera outbreaks in Iran.
- The disease has been recurrently introduced from South Asia into Iran over time.
- The incidence of cholera has declined significantly in Iran since 1965.

## Abstract

Cholera epidemics due to Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor have been occurring in Iran since 1965, but the incidence of this disease has declined significantly over time. We found that multiple sublineages of the seventh pandemic V. cholerae O1 El Tor lineage have caused cholera outbreaks in Iran, suggesting recurrent introductions of the disease from South Asia into Iran.