Cholera

Cholera is a bacterial disease that spreads mostly through contaminated water Cholera causes severe diarrhea and dehydration Without treatment, cholera can even cause death within hours in previously healthy people

Due to modern water purification and filtration techniques, cholera almost no longer exists in industrialized countries. The last significant case was recorded in 1911 in the USA Cholera still exists in Africa, Southeast Asia, Haiti, and central Mexico The risk of cholera outbreaks is high when poverty, war or natural disasters force people to live in large groups without adequate sanitation.

Cholera treatment is quite simple and cheap Because the bacteria causes dehydration, the treatment is fluid transfusions This can prevent fatal complications

The bacterium Vibrio cholerae causes cholera infection The effects of the disease are caused by a strong toxin – cholera toxin, which the bacterium releases in the small intestine. Cholera toxin sticks to the intestinal wall, where it prevents the normal flow of sodium and chlorine. This causes the body to secrete large volumes of fluid, which is manifested by diarrhea and loss of fluid and electrolytes.

Contaminated water is the main source of cholera, although raw seafood, fruits or vegetables can also become a source of infection.

The cholera bacterium has two distinct life cycles One is in the environment, and the other is in people

Cholera bacterium in the environment

The cholera bacterium occurs naturally in water, where it attaches to small aquatic organisms. The cholera bacterium spreads through hosts around the world when the simplest aquatic inhabitants follow their food source, algae and plankton, which grow as water temperatures rise. Algae growth is also facilitated by uric acid, which is present in large quantities in sewage and agricultural waste.

Cholera bacteria in humans

When a person ingests cholera bacteria with water or food, he may not get sick himself, but he may excrete the bacteria in his stool. When human feces contaminate a food or water source, ideal conditions are created for the spread of cholera
Because it takes more than a million cholera bacteria (about one cup of contaminated water) to cause disease, cholera generally cannot be spread from person to person.

The most common sources of cholera infection are water and certain foods, such as seafood, raw fruits and vegetables, and grains.

standing, drinking water Cholera bacteria exist in water for a long time Drinking water is often a source of bacterial spread in populations People living in large groups without adequate sanitation are at high risk of developing cholera

Sea products Eating raw seafood, especially from certain regions, may cause infection Recent cases in the US have been linked to seafood from the Gulf of Mexico region

Raw fruits and vegetables Raw, uncooked fruits and vegetables are a common source of cholera in regions where the bacteria is endemic. In developing countries, fertilizers containing human feces or irrigation of crops with contaminated water lead to crop contamination

Cereals In areas where cholera is common, grains such as rice may become contaminated after cooking, especially if left at room temperature for several hours. This is a good environment for bacteria to grow