Cholera like expression of Escherichia coli: An outbreak investigation from Central India.

Background: This paper investigates a swift gastrointestinal outbreak in central India and further explores environmental, agent, and host interactions culminating into outbreak. Materials and Methods: Epidemic investigation was launched as per the standard protocol laid by Center for Disease Control to capture the clinico-microbiological pattern of disease. Descriptive and observational epidemiological analysis was performed. Results: This cholera like watery diarrheal episode presented along with vomiting and abdominal cramps had an attack rate of 45.11%. The mean duration of illness was 61 h with a predilection to pediatric age group. Clinico-microbiological picture probed the enterotoxicogenic Escherichia coli contaminated well-water as a source for the outbreak initiated by geo-environmental stimulation. Conclusion: The findings endorse the need of serviceable environmental sanitation strategies in order to prevent the disease transmission through water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]