What is El Tor?
El Tor is a shortened name of a specific cholera bacterium, called vibrio cholee . Its symptoms are often imperceptible and can remain in the carrier systems for several months or even years, sometimes it is completely undiagnosed. Formally known as v. Cholera Biotype Eltor, he was responsible for the seventh global pandemic.
It is similar and different from the standard cholera strain. Both contain similar serotypes, which are specific variations in the subtypes of viruses and bacteria. Both show the characteristics of serotypes Ogawa, Hikojima and Inaba and are seros group O1. El Tor, however, produces hemolysines and distinguishes them from standard biotypes.
El Tor was identified for spreading by oral and faecal methods. For example, drinking contaminated water from a public water source or catering of partially uncooked foods that have been fertilized by fecal matter. Focus can be minimized or even prevented by much better hygiene and water cooking before drinking. In addition to dEnthusiastic washing fruit and vegetables before consuming and fully cooking of food minimizes the potential for outbreak.
Although El Tor was responsible for the outbreaks at the beginning of the 20th century, it did not cause pandemic in 1937 in Indonesia. From there it spread throughout Asia, then to Africa, in the Middle East, and finally to a strongly populated Europe, responsible for the small focus along the road. In 1993, a specific test identified the El Tor tribe in Calcutta, and this particular tribe was accused of causing an epidemic in Guinea-Bissau, a small country in West Africa.
These outbreaks, pandemic and epidemic were thus predominant because the disease is masked with very more main symptoms and is highly contagious. Treatment of over most bacterial infections is the same: antibiotics and lots of fluids. Water and electrolytes must be replaced because the disease depletes these fluids from the system. Treatment is only available in the casethat the condition is diagnosed, which is often not. In particular, it is known that the El Tor tribe lives in the women's system up to nine years after its first initial contact. It can live much longer than classic cholera vibrations.
The virus strain is named for the place in which it was discovered: El-Irto, Egypt. E. Gotschlich, a German physician, identified the virus in 1905, while in a quarantine camp. Over the years, scientists have tried to categorize El Tor, first named it as their own species, and then after their studies they grouped into the same serogroup for similar characteristics.