How many outbreaks of cholera did Cardiff face in the 19th century?

• A. 2
• B. 4
• C. 6
• D. 1

Answer: (B)

Cholera in the 19th century spread in waves, especially in growing port towns like Cardiff. Historical records for Cardiff show four distinct outbreaks during the century, each separated by periods with fewer cases. This pattern reflects how cholera moved through Britain in several major epidemics and how local populations were repeatedly hit as the disease returned with each new wave. The city’s responses—improving water supply and sanitation, cleaning streets and wells, and tightening public health measures—illustrate why the same town could endure multiple separate outbreaks rather than just a single event. Four outbreaks is the figure you’ll typically see in GCSE-level histories of Cardiff’s experience, aligning the local record with the national pattern of repeated cholera waves.