Cholera:
- It is a disease caused by a bacterium called Vibrio cholerae.
- This bacterium is transmitted through contaminated food and water.
- It also spreads through contaminated faeces that might come in close proximity to food and water.

Mode of action of Vibrio cholerae:
- When a large number of bacteria are ingested through contaminated food or water, the bacteria embed themselves on the cell lining of the small intestine.
- The bacteria then produce a toxin that causes the chloride ions in the body to be released into the small intestine.
- This causes osmotic movement of water into the gut, causing diarrhoea, dehydration, and loss of ions such as sodium ions and potassium ions.
- Besides having diarrhoea, the person might also suffer from nausea, stomach cramps, and kidney failure.
- It is quite deadly if left untreated. The severity of diarrhoea caused by cholera is so bad that people might even defecate without them knowing.

Treatment of cholera:
- It can be easily treated with antibiotics.
- Treatment also includes rehydration and restoration of the salts or ions lost due to the disease.

Measures to prevent and control the spread of diseases like cholera:
- Clean water supply
- Proper sanitation
- Safe waste disposal
- Proper sewage treatment
- Use of cholera vaccine

Importance of clean water supply in controlling the spread of disease:
- Bacteria like Vibrio cholerae thrive in dirty water.
- These bacteria are transmitted when people drink that water or use itto prepare their food.
- Hence, diseases like cholera can easily spread in places where there is a lack of clean water and sanitation.
- Therefore, a clean water supply is very important for controlling the spread of diseases.

10.02 - Cholera

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