Brian Barton
Water pollution is a pressing global issue, with over 80% of sewage generated by human activity being discharged into rivers and oceans without treatment. This has resulted in a range of diseases that affect millions worldwide. In this report, we will explore the top 10 diseases caused by polluted water, their symptoms, and the impact on public health. From common ailments like cholera and diarrhoea to the lesser-known dangers of encephalitis and hepatitis, understanding these waterborne diseases is crucial for safeguarding communities and improving access to clean water, a basic human right recognised by the UN in 2010.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diseases caused by polluted water | Salmonella, Traveler's Diarrhea, Lead Poisoning, Arsenicosis, Cholera, Diarrhea, Dysentery, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Polio, Schistosomiasis, Dengue Fever, Encephalitis, Gastroenteritis, Cryptosporidiosis, Galloping Amoeba, Giardia |
| Most common symptoms | Vomiting, Fever, Diarrhea, Abdominal Cramps, Dehydration, Headaches, Nausea, Renal Failure, Coma, Paralysis, Sore Throat, Constipation, Stomach Cramps |
| Most at-risk groups | Children, Infants, People in developing countries, People without access to clean drinking water |
| Prevention methods | Safe sanitation and hygiene, Safe drinking water, Treating unsafe water, Cleaning and maintaining devices that use water |
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Diarrhoea
There are multiple routes of exposure to the pathogens that cause diarrhoea. They can be ingested through water or food, or acquired by respiratory exposure. People may be exposed at home or elsewhere, leading to uncertainty in exposure characterization. The outcome of diarrhoea can be caused by a multitude of infectious agents, as well as non-infectious causes, and is difficult to accurately identify in infants, who have naturally loose stools.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been testing household water treatment products against health-based performance criteria through the WHO International Scheme to Evaluate Household Water Treatment Technologies. The aim of the scheme is to ensure that products protect users from the pathogens that cause diarrhoeal disease and to strengthen policy, regulatory, and monitoring mechanisms at the national level to support appropriate targeting and consistent and correct use of such products.
Campylobacteriosis is the most common diarrhoeal illness in the United States. It is caused by the bacterium Campylobacter. While some people exhibit no symptoms, clinical manifestations include bloody diarrhoea, cramping, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever within 2 to 5 days after exposure to the organism. In immunocompromised individuals, Campylobacter occasionally spreads to the bloodstream and causes a life-threatening infection.
Viral gastroenteritis, also known as "stomach flu," is an infection caused by a number of viruses, including rotaviruses, adenoviruses, caliciviruses, astroviruses, Norwalk virus, and Norwalk-like viruses. Symptoms include watery diarrhoea, vomiting, headache, fever, and abdominal cramps. Generally, symptoms begin 1 to 2 days after infection and may last for 1 to 10 days, depending on the virus involved. The illness can be severe for infants, young children, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised or disabled if they cannot drink enough fluids to replace what they lose through vomiting or diarrhoea.
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Cholera
Vibrio cholerae can be found in contaminated water sources, particularly in areas with poor sanitation. This includes rivers, coastal waters, and even drinking water supplies. The bacterium can accumulate in the stomach and produce toxins that affect the cells of the gastrointestinal tract, causing a loss of fluids at a rapid rate—up to one litre per hour. This dehydration can lead to severe health complications and even death if left untreated.
The symptoms of cholera include profuse, watery diarrhoea, stomach pains, leg cramps, mild fever, and vomiting. These symptoms can appear quite quickly after infection, and the incubation time ranges from a few hours to up to five days. Most people infected with Vibrio cholerae do not exhibit any symptoms, but they can still carry and transmit the bacteria to others. For those who do become symptomatic, 80 to 90 percent experience only mild to moderate cholera.
To prevent cholera, it is crucial to ensure access to safe drinking water and improve sanitation practices. This includes boiling or treating drinking water, proper waste management, and maintaining good personal hygiene. These measures can effectively reduce the risk of cholera transmission and protect public health.
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Hepatitis
HAV is a significant concern in water supplies, especially in low-income countries with inadequate safe water and poor sanitation and hygiene. Contaminated water sources, including private wells, can contain HAV when infected human faeces enter the water through sewage overflows or broken sewage systems. This can lead to water-borne outbreaks, affecting those who consume the contaminated water.
The risk of HAV infection is higher in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene practices. Outbreaks have been reported in daycare facilities, where children may get stool on their hands and then touch objects that other children put into their mouths. Caregivers can also spread the virus if they do not maintain proper hand hygiene after changing diapers.
To prevent HAV infection from contaminated water, it is crucial to ensure safe drinking water and maintain good hygiene practices. Boiling water for one minute (or three minutes at high altitudes) can effectively kill or inactivate the virus. Chlorination is another method to disinfect water sources and prevent HAV transmission.
While hepatitis A outbreaks caused by contaminated drinking water are rare in the United States due to water treatment processes, it is still important to be vigilant about water quality and sanitation to prevent the spread of this disease.
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Typhoid
Water contaminated by human and animal waste, agricultural activities, and chemical runoff can cause a host of diseases, with diarrhoea being the most widely known. One such disease caused by polluted water is typhoid fever, a life-threatening illness caused by the S. Typhi bacterium, which infects the small intestines. It is often contracted by consuming water or food contaminated by the faeces of an infected person. The risk of infection is higher in low- and middle-income countries with poor sanitation and access to safe food and water.
The symptoms of typhoid fever include a high fever that increases daily, flu-like symptoms, stomach pain, and diarrhoea. The disease can be confused with malaria, and if left untreated, it can last for a month with a case-fatality ratio of 10–30%. Serious complications, including life-threatening gastrointestinal haemorrhage, intestinal perforation, and encephalopathy, can occur in 10–15% of hospitalized patients, generally after 2–3 weeks of illness.
To prevent typhoid fever, it is recommended to get vaccinated, especially when travelling to areas where typhoid is endemic. Practicing good hygiene and ensuring safe food and water sources are also crucial in reducing the risk of infection.
If you suspect you have typhoid fever, it is important to seek medical attention promptly, as early treatment significantly reduces the case-fatality ratio. Antibiotics are used to treat typhoid fever, and it is essential to complete the entire course of medication to prevent the spread of the disease to others.
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Polio
The risk of contracting polio from drinking water is particularly high in areas with inadequate sanitation and hygiene services, such as in many low- and middle-income countries. In these settings, the lack of access to safe drinking water and proper waste management systems can facilitate the spread of the disease.
The transmission of polio through drinking water is a serious public health concern. Safe and readily available water is crucial for preventing the spread of this disease and protecting public health. Efforts to improve water supply, sanitation, and management of water resources are essential to reduce the risk of polio and other waterborne diseases.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the importance of safe drinking water and sanitation, and has implemented various initiatives to improve access to these basic human rights. In 2015, WHO and UNICEF jointly developed the Water and Sanitation for Health Facility Improvement Tool (WASH FIT) to guide small, primary healthcare facilities in improving water safety and sanitation practices.
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