Q. How does one get infected by Enterotoxigenic escherichia coli gastroenteritis(ETEC)?

Infection occurs when a person eats food or drinks water or ice contaminated with ETEC bacteria. Human or animal wastes i.e. faeces are the ultimate source of ETEC contamination. Contamination may occur through the hands of food handlers to the cooked foods.

What can be done to prevent infection of ETEC? Well, the preventive approach in this form of illness is to adopt proper personal habits, like washing hands frequently. The foods must be thoroughly cooked and held before consumption at elevated temperatures or low temperatures. It is essential that potable water supply is ensured to reduce the illness due to contamination of foods by E. coli.

The next toxic infection, cholera needs no introduction. But certainly we need to know about the organism that causes this disease. Let us get to learn about Vibrio cholerae.