Tufts researchers are testing bacteriophages—viruses that slay the cholera bacteria—as a way to halt the spread of the deadly diseaseCholera strikes almost 3 million people each year worldwide,causing 95000 deaths. An acute diarrheal infection, it’s prevalent in regions with inadequate access to clean water and sanitation.
Now Tufts researchers are developing a treatment to prevent the spread of cholera, or using viruses to attack the bacterium that causes the disease. It’s different than current treatment options,which include a rehydration solution given after the onset of symptoms and multiple-dose vaccines that require ten days to catch effect.
Source: tufts.edu