Cholera epidemiology - Some environmental aspects

Cholera has a distinctive epidemiological pattern. Epidemics, even in endemic areas, are sharply localized in time and place. The 'place' specificity points to the essential requirement for water to facilitate disease transmission. The age, sex, occupational risks of disease are primarily related to exposure to contaminated water. This exposure may, however, involve small doses of V. cholerae ingested in water while rinsing the mouth, utensils, fresh vegetables, or with fish, especially shellfish. The epidemiological pattern of cholera contrasts so greatly with that of other diarrheal diseases, that it appears inappropriate to make any general classification of the spread or control of these diseases without etiology-specific study.