Cholera is an acute infection of the digestive system that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Infected individuals can experience a range of symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, muscle cramps, low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and extreme thirst. If symptoms persist and severe dehydration results, an infected individual can die within hours of symptom onset. The diagram below shows how cholera is transmitted.


Based on the diagram above, which of the following best describes why a population in an area that has poor sanitation can be particularly at risk for a cholera outbreak?
V. cholerae is a parasitic bacterium often found in moving water, such as rivers and streams.


Symptoms of the disease can appear anywhere from 2 hours to 5 days after initial ingestion of contaminated food or water.


The bacterium that causes cholera is spread through ingestion of contaminated water or food.


V. cholerae can survive in feces and aquatic environments for up to 2 months