Multidisciplinary studies in the ecology and epidemiology of cholera to predict epidemics

Epidemics of cholera due to toxigenic strains of the bacterium Vibrio cholerae cause approximately 120,000 deaths and millions of cases annually, with major economic impact in developing countries. The pathogen naturally exists in an aquatic ecosystem and infects humans to cause the devastating diarrhoeal disease. The proposed research will involve a multidisciplinary approach to better understand the ecological interactions, epidemiology, and the intricate genetic regulations that allow the pathogen to survive under both environmental and host conditions, and factors which lead to periodic outbreaks of cholera. Dr Faruque has an outstanding track record of research in the ecology, epidemiology and evolution of V. cholerae and its bacteriophages. The planned studies using cholera as a model system are expected to provide important thematic insights which may be useful, not only in controlling cholera, but subsequently in a variety of other waterborne enteric diseases which affect populations in developing countries.