Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Practice Exam 2025 - Free General Practitioner Exam Practice Questions and Study Guide

Cholera is primarily caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae and is mainly associated with contaminated water and food, particularly seafood. It is not a disease that is transmitted from pigs to humans, which is the defining characteristic of a zoonotic disease. Zoonotic diseases are those that can be transmitted from animals to humans, and while pigs can be reservoirs for numerous zoonoses, cholera does not fit this category.

In contrast, the other options listed—brucellosis, leptospirosis, and Q-fever—are indeed diseases that can be transmitted from animals, including pigs, to humans. Brucellosis is caused by Brucella bacteria, which can be found in pigs and can infect humans through contaminated food or direct contact. Leptospirosis is caused by Leptospira bacteria often found in the urine of infected animals, including pigs, and can be transmitted through water or soil contaminated with this urine. Q-fever is caused by Coxiella burnetii, which can be present in various animals, including livestock such as pigs, and can spread to humans primarily through inhalation of contaminated aerosols or contact with infected animals or their products.

Thus, cholera's association with water and food