| Differential Diagnosis | Symptoms/Possible Elimination (when applicable) |
| E. coli infection | Has fever, loss of appetite, stomach cramping BUT vomiting is rare Has bloody urine, bruising (not present in outbreak disease) |
| Cholera | Has abdominal cramps, excessive thirst, low urine output, nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhea, dehydration, rapid pulse, dry skin Possible diagnosis |
| Amebic dysentery (amebiasis) | Has abdominal cramps, diarrhea BUT only severe cases have fever, vomiting, and bloody stools Could reasonably be a possible diagnosis |
| Giardiasis | Has diarrhea, abdominal gas or bloating, nausea, weight loss BUT no vomiting and only low-grade fever |
| Food poisoning | Can have vomiting and diarrhea BUT not reasonable that thousands of people across a distance eat the same bad food |
| Ascariasis | Has stomach pain BUT has low-grade fever, skin rash, vomiting worms, worms leaving body through nose or mouth, cough, bloody sputum (respiratory mucus)- all of which are all not present in outbreak disease |
| Trichinosis | Has abdominal discomfort, cramping, fever, and diarrhea Also has facial swelling around the eyes, muscle pain especially with breathing or chewing (not present in outbreak disease)BUT no vomiting |
| Leishmaniasis | Has fever, vomiting and diarrhea BUT has skin sores, stuffy nose, runny nose, swallowing difficulty or ulcers in mouth, tongue, gums, lips (not present in outbreak disease) |