Cholera
Humans are the only animal affected by cholera. Cholera is spread mainly by the use of unsafe water and unsafe food which is contaminated with human feces containing bacteria. Although, when seafood is contaminated and undercooked it can also spread cholera. Poor sanitation and lack of enough clean drinking and cooking water are factors that lead to cholera outbreaks. These two factors are prevalent where poverty is also prevalent. With the millennium development goals in place such issues should have already been addressed. In the current day decent and proper housing should be available to all worldwide. However this is not the case as slums and other housing structures are increasing as the population increases and housing costs…show more content… This helps prevent the disease from becoming an epidemic which reduces the number of deaths. With effective disease surveillance by the public health department and the center for infectious disease control, cholera outbreaks are identified as soon as possible and the appropriate measures to prevent its spread are put in place. The affected people are isolated and treated immediately reducing the casualties. In addition, CDC provides information which educates the public about effective preventive measures. Imported and domestic shellfish are tested for V. cholerae. Therefore the risk of cholera to U.S. residents remains small with all these measures in place.
Cholera is caused by the bacterium vibrio cholerae. These bacterium causes infections in the small intestines. After exposure symptoms will occur from two hours to five days. The main symptom of cholera is watery diarrhea in large amounts that lasts a few days. The diarrhea can be severe such that it leads to severe dehydration within a few hours. Severe dehydration results in cold skin, sunken eyes wrinkling of the hands and feet and the skin can turn bluish. Muscle cramps and vomiting may occur. Cholera can be diagnosed by a stool