(1)Definition of waterborne illnesses
Waterborne illnesses refer to infections, in which water acts as a medium of transmission either due to ingestion of poor water quality (water contaminated by human and animal waste with the disease-causing microorganisms) or food prepared with a contaminated water source.
(2)Types of organisms responsible for waterborne illnesses
Waterborne illnesses are mostly caused by bacteria e. g Vibrio cholerae, protozoae. g Cryptosporidium parvumand viruses e. g Hepatitis A which are generally referred to as disease-causing microorganisms and sometimes metozoa such as nematodes, e.g., Dracunculusmedinensis.
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(3)How waterborne illnesses spread and preventive measures
Waterborne illnesses mainly spread by contamination of drinking water or food by human or animal waste with the disease-causing microorganisms. Infection is primarily by the fecal-oral route. Human waste may get into drinking water due to sewage system leakage. Rainwater and floods may wash human waste into the sources of drinking water. Food handlers who are infected may contaminate the food if proper hygiene measures are not followed. Improper disposal of human waste also contributes to the spread of waterborne illnesses.
To prevent the spread of waterborne illnesses, the quality of drinking water should be improved by proper drinking water treatment, considering the source, storage facility, and purpose of the water (WHO, 2008). Many individuals do not have access to reliable and safe water sources; therefore, they use water from questionable sources. Access to safe and dependable drinking water should be ensured. Proper human waste disposal techniques such as using pit latrines should be encouraged and adopted to prevent contamination of surface water sources. Food handlers should always wash hands before handling food, and they should be trained as per the public health guidelines. Prompt treatment of patients infected with waterborne diseases should be facilitated to ensure it is not spread. The public should also be educated on the preventive and control measures of the waterborne illnesses and how they are transmitted.
(4)A waterborne illness that appeared in the news recently
Somalia recently reported 77 cholera cases resulting from floodwaters of the Shabelle River (WHO, 2020). Cholera is a waterborne bacterial disease caused by Vibrio cholerae. The fecal-oral route through the ingestion of contaminated drinking water and food mainly transmits it. Notably, it manifests as severe watery-rice diarrhea. As per the WHO report, there is still transmission in Banadir.
References
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azr3-6uNYYK
WHO (2020). Epidemic and Pandemic Prone Diseases: Cholera in Somalia .
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