Cholera

Cholera
Sign and Symptoms
* Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The main symptoms are profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting.Transmission occurs primarily when drinking water or food is contaminated by the diarrhea from an infected person or by the feces of an infected person. The severity of the diarrhea and vomiting can lead torapid dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
Transmission
* Cholera is typically transmitted by either contaminated food or water. In the developed world, seafood is the usual cause, while in thedeveloping world it is more often water. Cholera has been found in only two other animal populations: shellfish and plankton.
* The source of the contamination is typically other cholera suffererswhen their untreated diarrheal discharge is allowed to get into waterways or into groundwater or drinking water supplies. Drinking any infected water and eating any foods washed in the water, as wellas shellfish living in the affected waterway, can cause a person to contract an infection. Cholera is rarely spread directly from person to person.
Prevention
* Sterilization: Proper disposal andtreatment of infected fecal waste water produced by cholera victims and all contaminated materials is essential. All materials that come in contact with cholera patients should be sterilized bywashing in hot water. Hands that touch cholera patients or their clothing, bedding, etc., should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
* Sewage: antibacterial treatment of general sewage by chlorine,ozone, ultraviolet light or other effective treatment before it enters the waterways or underground.
* Sources: Warnings about possible cholera contamination should be posted around contaminatedwater sources with directions on how to decontaminate the water (boiling, chlorination etc.) for possible use.
* Water purification: All water used for drinking, washing, or cooking should be...