AAMI Microbiology for Embalmers Practice Exam 2026 - Free Embalmer Microbiology Practice Questions and Study Guide

Vibrio cholerae is transmitted mainly by ingesting water or food contaminated with human feces, a fecal-oral route. In environments with poor sanitation, contaminated drinking water or shellfish leads to outbreaks when consumed. The bacterium affects the small intestine after ingestion, causing severe watery diarrhea, but it does not typically spread through respiratory droplets, blood, or direct skin contact. This makes fecal-oral transmission via contaminated water the hallmark route, while the other routes are not characteristic for cholera.