pH levels can significantly influence the transmission of diseases. Many pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, thrive in specific pH environments. For instance, the bacterium _Helicobacter pylori_, which causes stomach ulcers, can survive in the highly acidic environment of the stomach. On the other hand, pathogens like _Vibrio cholerae_, responsible for cholera, prefer a more alkaline pH. Understanding these preferences helps epidemiologists predict and control outbreaks by modifying environmental conditions or developing targeted interventions.
