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Common Waterborne Pathogens

Common Waterborne Pathogens


Common Waterborne pathogens

Common Waterborne Pathogens: The Invisible Threats to Public Health

Waterborne diseases are diseases that are caused by pathogens that are transported through water and are a threat to the health of the public. These pathogens include bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, all of which are known to cause serious diseases and epidemics. This article focuses on the types of waterborne pathogens, their origin, effects on human health, and ways of prevention.

Common Waterborne Pathogens

Water is a necessity to all living organisms, but it is also a medium through which many diseases causing agents can spread their effects. Waterborne pathogens are disease-causing agents that can be spread through contaminated water and cause different diseases, including serious and potentially fatal ones. Knowledge of these pathogens, their sources, and the health effects they cause is essential for water purification and public health.

Types of Waterborne Pathogens

Waterborne pathogens can be grouped into bacterial, viral, protozoan, and helminthic pathogens. They also have different modes of transmission, life cycles, and impact on human health.

  1. Bacteria: These are single-celled organisms that can reproduce in water. Some common waterborne bacteria include:
  1. Escherichia coli (E. coli): Especially the O157:H7 serotype, E. coli is a fecal coliform bacterium that is commonly associated with water pollution. It can lead to severe gastrointestinal diseases, stomach pains, and diarrhea, which may contain blood. Some strains can also cause hemolytic uremic syndrome, which is a severe condition that may cause kidney failure.
  1. Salmonella: This bacterium is known to cause food poisoning but can also be transmitted through waterborne diseases. Salmonella infections cause salmonellosis which is an illness that has symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The symptoms may be mild or severe depending on the health of the person and his or her age.
  1. Vibrio cholerae: This bacterium is the causative agent of cholera and is spread through water, especially where there is inadequate supply of clean water. Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness that can cause severe dehydration and death within hours if not treated.
  1. Legionella: This bacterium is known to grow well in warm water conditions, for instance in hot tubs and cooling towers. It leads to legionellosis, which may be as mild as a flu or as severe as pneumonia.
  1. Viruses: Viral pathogens are generally smaller than bacterial pathogens and can make people sick even in very small amounts. Common waterborne viruses include:
  1. Norovirus: A highly infectious virus that is commonly linked to epidemics in closed environments, norovirus can be transmitted through contaminated water and food. Some of the signs are vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
  1. Hepatitis A: This virus affects the liver and is transmitted through consumption of water that has been contaminated. The symptoms of hepatitis A include fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, and jaundice.
  1. Rotavirus: Especially dangerous for young children, rotavirus is one of the most common causes of severe diarrhea in the world. It is water borne and the common signs are vomiting and diarrhea.
  1. Protozoa: These microscopic organisms are dangerous to human health when consumed through water that has been contaminated by them. Notable protozoan pathogens include:
  1. Giardia lamblia: This parasite is responsible for giardiasis and its symptoms include diarrhea, fatigue, and stomach cramps. It is present in polluted drinking water and is not easily disinfected by routine chlorination.
  1. Cryptosporidium: Another protozoan is Cryptosporidium which causes cryptosporidiosis. This pathogen is resistant to chlorine and can be found in water that has been treated with chlorine. It is characterized by watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, and nausea and is more dangerous in immunocompromised patients.
  1. Helminths: These parasitic worms can also be acquired through water, but this mode of transmission is less frequent than the foodborne transmission. Notable examples include:
  1. Schistosoma: The eggs of these parasitic worms can be transmitted through contact with contaminated water and cause schistosomiasis in humans. This disease can lead to a number of health complications such as bladder and intestinal complications.
  1. Dracunculus medinensis: Also known as the Guinea worm, the larvae of this parasite penetrate the human body through contaminated water and when they come out, they form ulcers.

Waterborne pathogens are organisms that are found in water and can cause diseases in humans and animals.

Waterborne pathogens are mainly released into water sources through human and animal fecal pollution. Common sources include:

  1. Improperly treated sewage: The pathogens that can be introduced into rivers, lakes, and groundwater include those that are untreated or poorly treated wastewater.
  2. Agricultural runoff: Pathogens present in livestock waste can be washed into water sources through rainwater or through irrigation.
  3. Stormwater runoff: Sewer systems are also prone to overflows during the rainy season, and this means that untreated sewage is discharged into natural water bodies.
  4. Inadequate sanitation facilities: Due to lack of proper sanitation facilities, pathogens can easily contaminate water sources through latrine and open defecation.
  5. Wildlife: Animals can also spread the disease through water sources as they defecate in water sources such as lakes and rivers, which may cause an outbreak.

Health Impacts and Symptoms

Waterborne diseases can cause various illnesses depending on the type of pathogen and the health of the infected person. Common symptoms include:

  1. Gastrointestinal distress: Stomach upsets such as diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps are common symptoms of many waterborne diseases.
  2. Fever: Fever is a common sign that occurs when the body is fighting bacterial and viral infections.
  3. Dehydration: Prolonged diarrhea and vomiting may cause dehydration and this is dangerous for the young and the elderly.
  4. Long-term complications: Some infections can cause chronic diseases like IBS, chronic fatigue, and kidney diseases among others.

 Prevention and Control

To minimize the risk of waterborne diseases, several preventive measures can be implemented:

  1. Water treatment: Proper treatment of drinking water like filtration and disinfection (like chlorination or UV treatment) can help in eradicating many pathogens.
  2. Improved sanitation: Contamination can be minimized through the provision of proper sewage treatment plants and proper waste disposal systems.
  3. Public education: Education on safe water practices and hygiene can assist the communities to appreciate the need to treat and protect water resources.
  4. Regular monitoring: Local and central health departments should periodically sample water sources for pathogens in order to detect and control contamination.
  5. Avoiding contact: Individuals should not swim in or drink water from sources that are contaminated or not treated.

Conclusion

Waterborne diseases are still a major concern in many parts of the world today. Knowledge of the various pathogens, their origin, and the diseases they produce is crucial in the prevention and control of diseases. The following measures should be taken to decrease the incidence of water borne diseases and increase availability of safe drinking water: Thus, by focusing on these measures, it is possible to save people’s lives and improve the overall health of communities around the world.

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