Doy yoy know that you can prevent your family from cholera bacteria?

Do you know that one of the most infamous diseases around the world is cholera. It is very common in places where poor sanitation and water hygiene standards are seen.

Cholera is a bacterial disease that causes severe diarrhea and dehydration. The onset of the disease is rather rapid and can lead to death, if not treated soon. The causative agent of the disease is Vibrio cholera. The disease is very rare in most industrialized countries. However, cases if any reported in these countries is only when the infected person may have travelled to cholera prone regions.

The disease has known to cause pandemics in history. The latest endemic being the one in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. However, with the modern treatment methods, this disease is easily curable. Today, cholera is fatal in 1% of people with severe cholera symptoms.

 Vibrio cholerae is the bacterium that causes cholera. As this is a food and water borne disease, a person gets infected by eating or drinking infected food or water. Once the bacteria enter the body, it reaches the small intestine. Here, it starts releasing toxins that leads to accumulation of fluids in the small intestine. This is the reason for passing watery stools. 

Water sources such as waterways, drinking water, groundwater, etc. contaminated with feces is the reason for passing of the cholera bacterium in healthy individuals. It can also be transmitted through unwashed and contaminated foods. Undercooked seafood or raw shellfish also lead to an infection.

Infection is very common in areas where there is overcrowding, poor living condition, natural or man-made disasters that cause lack of basic hygiene and access to clean water.