cholera

Everyday

1. Cholera is a serious illness caused by germs (bacteria) in dirty water or food, which gives very bad diarrhoea and makes the body lose water quickly. tree →
2. Without treatment cholera can kill, but drinking clean water with salts and sugar (rehydration) and medicine save most people. tree →

In the lessons

In history and science lessons, cholera is famous because a doctor named John Snow found that people caught it from a dirty water pump in London, which helped create clean water systems and sewers. In geography and current affairs, cholera still spreads where there is war, floods or no clean water. It teaches why washing hands and safe water matter. Phrases: «a cholera outbreak», «cholera epidemic».

Examples

• Cholera spreads through dirty drinking water. tree →
• John Snow traced cholera to one water pump. tree →
• Clean water and toilets stopped cholera in many cities. tree →
• Aid workers rushed to stop a cholera outbreak after the flood. tree →
• People with cholera need lots of clean fluids. tree →
• There is a vaccine that helps protect against cholera. tree →
• In Victorian times, cholera killed thousands in crowded towns. tree →

Note

Uncountable: «cholera is», not «a cholera». Pronounced «KOL-er-a»; «ch» sounds like «k». Do not confuse with «choler» (old word for anger) or «collar».