Paired sera from patients to detect seroconversion. Reservoir Soil, dust, cereals. Fish, birds, reptiles, wild and domestic animals for most bacteria and parasites. Humans for viruses. The mode of transmission is mainly faecal-oral, but sometimes person to person or airborne.
Water is rendered unsafe by human or animal faecal contamination.
Food may be contaminated by contact with raw materials, including animal products, environmental pathogens or carrier humans or animals. With most infections, susceptibility is general. Rotavirus and E. coli occurs typically in infants and young children. SRSV is found in older children and adults. Investigation Procedures Verify diagnosis.