Cholera

    Cholera is a water-borne disease spread by the bacteria Vibrio Cholerae ("Cholera" 247). The bacteria is created with polluted water. Since Mozambique has few filtration plants, a myriad of the bacterium is formed. You can spread this disease with your fecal contamination of a water supply ("Cholera" 247). It is caused when you consume water contaminated with it ("Cholera"). From there it enters your intestines instigating a chemical reaction that triggers an extreme amount of watery diarrhea ("Digestive System"). One reason it has a 60% mortality rate ("Cholera" 247) is because those who have contracted cholera become dehydrated from the fluid loss and don’t get the hydration therapy they need. Since cholera affects your intestines it enters your digestive system and taints your feces ("Digestive System"). The main purpose of your digestive system is two break down the food you ingest and transform it into particles you can use ("Digestive System"). The digestive system shutting down plus the dehydration can cause medical shock, a condition in which you experience symptoms such as dizziness, sweat, and cold or clammy skin ("Digestive System"). 
    Ways of reduction include filtration, exposure to a high pH (base), and boiling all your food and water ("Cholera"). Always make sure that you avoid ice when you do not know its water source and to be certain that all food that is served on the streets is cooked. Vaccinations for cholera exist but they only work for a short period of time and are typically ineffective ("Cholera"). Antibiotics are also poor because although they reduce the diarrhea they do not kill the bacteria ("Cholera"). A new SMART brand testing apparatus has been invented to analyze feces and to determine the presence of Vibrio Cholerae using a color scale ("Cholera" 247).    
     John Snow was the first person to realize that the strange sicknesses in England in 1855 were from the water supply instead of the then dominant theory that said that diseases like cholera were a cause of air pollution (Hayhurst 9-47). Since Snow we have come a long way and discovered new ways to eradicate cholera. The most obvious solution is to eliminate the cause of this infection: unclean water. Constructing a water filtration plant would ensure the water Mozambicans are consuming is healthy and Vibrio Cholerae free. An interesting new proposal to end cholera has also been suggested, that is the potato vaccination ("Cholera"). Potatoes have outstanding health benefits that can be used for almost any infectious disease and scientists have put its qualities to good use. So that proves that the knowledge of man can overcome the complexities of this dangerous disease.

These potatoes are possibly the most ingenious suggestion for the prevention of cholera.

("The Chesapeke Bay")

This picture is an example of the water pollution in Africa that causes cholera.

(Cholera: Disease of Disaster)

This is the cholera bacteria.

("Vibrio Cholera")