what is the Epidemiology of Cholera?

Answer 1

Recent epidemiologic research suggests that a person's susceptibility to cholera (and other diarrheas) is affected by their blood type. Those with type O blood are the most susceptible.[4] Those with type AB are the most resistant. Between these two extremes are the A and B blood types, with type A being more resistant than type B.

About one million V. cholerae bacteria must be ingested to cause cholera in normally healthy adults, although increased susceptibility may be observed in those with a weakened immune system, individuals with decreased gastric acidity (as from the use of antacids), or those who are malnourished.

It has also been determined that the genetic mutation that causes Cystic Fibrosis spread due to the fact that those who have a single copy of the gene (heterozygous carriers who do not express the disease) are subject to a milder case of cholera. The genetic deficiency of the Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator channel prevents the bacteria from binding to it.


Prevention


Although cholera can be life-threatening, it is easily prevented. In the United States and Western Europe, because of advanced water and sanitation systems, cholera is not a major threat. The last major outbreak of cholera in the United States was in 1911. However, everyone, especially travellers, should be aware of how the disease is transmitted and what can be done to prevent it.

Simple sanitation is usually sufficient to stop an epidemic. There are several points along the transmission path at which the spread may be halted:

Sickbed: Proper disposal and treatment of waste produced by cholera victims.
Sewage: Treatment of general sewage before it enters the waterways.
Sources: Warnings about cholera contamination posted around contaminated water sources.
Sterilization: Boiling, filtering, and chlorination of water before use.
Filtration and boiling are by far the most effective means of halting transmission. Cloth filters, though very basic, have greatly reduced the occurrence of cholera when used in poor villages in Bangladesh that rely on untreated surface water.

In general, education and sanitation are the limiting factors in prevention of cholera epidemics.


Treatment

Nurses encouraging this patient to drink an Oral Rehydration Solution to improve dehydration he acquired from cholera.
Courtesy:Centers for Disease Control and PreventionTreatment typically consists of aggressive rehydration and replacement of electrolytes, since the death rate is generally high due to the serious dehydration caused by the illness.

Tetracycline antibiotics may have a role in reducing the duration and severity of cholera, although drug-resistance is occurring, and their effects on overall mortality are questioned.Other antibiotics that have been used include ciprofloxacin and azithromycin.

Without treatment the death rate is as high as 50%, with treatment the death rate is below 1%.

Answer 2

Go to this link for the lecture, "Epidemiology of Cholera."

http://www.pitt.edu/~super1/lecture/lec19901/index.htm

Answer 3

I DONT KNOW.!