Greta Jimenez
Vietnam is facing a water crisis, with over 13 million Vietnamese lacking sufficient access to clean water, and nearly 80% of diseases in the country caused by contaminated water. The country's rapid economic development has resulted in increased river water pollution from organic pollutants, untreated wastewater, and toxins. This, combined with natural disasters like typhoons, floods, and droughts, has led to a multitude of health issues, including waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and malaria. Additionally, arsenic-contaminated groundwater and drinking water pose a significant threat to human health, especially in the Red River Delta region. The crisis disproportionately affects rural and impoverished communities, with only 39% of the rural population having access to safe water and sanitation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of diseases in Vietnam caused by polluted water | 80% |
| Number of Vietnamese without sufficient access to clean water | 13 million |
| Number of rural Vietnamese without sufficient access to clean water | 2.5 million |
| Waterborne diseases | Cholera, Typhoid, Dysentery, Malaria, Diarrhea, Gastrointestinal infections |
| Cause of water pollution | Oil waste, solids, untreated wastewater, arsenic |
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What You'll Learn
Diarrhoeal diseases, cholera and parasitic diseases
Vietnam is facing a water crisis, with almost 80% of diseases in the country caused by polluted water. The nation's rivers, which should provide a copious supply of water, are affected by pollution from organic waste, oil, solids, and untreated wastewater released by industries and agricultural activities. This is particularly true in the three main river basins—Thai Binh, Mekong Delta, and Dong Nai—where almost two-thirds of Vietnam's 86 million people live.
The lack of access to safe water and sanitation is a significant issue in Vietnam, especially in rural areas, where only 39% of the population has access to these basic necessities. This has led to an increase in waterborne diseases such as cholera.
Cholera is a highly contagious diarrheal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, which is often transmitted through contaminated water sources. In 2010, an outbreak of cholera occurred in the southern province of Ben Tre, infecting 60 of 71 diarrheal patients. The outbreak was linked to the consumption of unsafe water, particularly through drinking iced tea. This finding highlights the need for improved water quality monitoring, especially in areas with high population densities and poor sanitation.
In addition to cholera, other diarrhoeal diseases are prevalent in Vietnam due to polluted water. These can be caused by a variety of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. The consumption of contaminated water can lead to severe diarrhea, dehydration, and, in some cases, death.
Parasitic diseases are also a concern in Vietnam, with water serving as a vector for various parasites. While specific examples of waterborne parasitic infections in Vietnam were not readily available, the country's environmental pollution and natural disasters are known to impact public health.
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Typhoid, dysentery and malaria
Vietnam's rapid economic development has resulted in increased toxins in the water. The surface water in the rivers is locally polluted by organic pollutants such as oil waste, solids, and untreated wastewater released by industries and agriculture activities. The country's unique geography and topography also make it susceptible to natural hazards such as typhoons, storms, floods, and droughts, which further contribute to water pollution.
The Vietnamese government has recognized the issue of water pollution and its impact on public health, with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment stating that almost 80% of the diseases in Vietnam are caused by polluted water. Among these diseases are typhoid, dysentery, and malaria.
Typhoid
Typhoid fever is associated with poor water quality, and the Vietnamese government has acknowledged it as a public health issue. In the late 1990s, vaccine campaigns were initiated to protect vulnerable populations, and surveillance suggests that the current disease burden is negligible. However, the lack of systematic data makes it challenging to determine the exact role of immunization and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions in reducing typhoid cases in Vietnam.
Dysentery
Dysentery is another disease prevalent in Vietnam that is caused by polluted water. While there is limited specific information on dysentery in Vietnam, it is known that the lack of access to safe water and sanitation facilities contributes to the spread of this disease.
Malaria
Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is prevalent in the hilly, forested areas of southern and central highland provinces in Vietnam, with a peak season from December to February. While Vietnam has made significant progress in controlling malaria, reducing cases by 60% from 2008 to 2017, it remains a concern, especially in rural areas with limited access to healthcare and prevention measures.
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Gastrointestinal infections
Vietnam's population of over 86 million is concentrated around its three main river basins: Thai Binh, Mekong Delta, and Dong Nai. The country has 2360 rivers, which should provide a copious supply of water. However, due to a lack of physical infrastructure and financial capacity, there is low utilization of the supply, and an uneven distribution of rainfall, resulting in water shortages throughout the country.
Although Vietnam has improved its water supply situation in recent decades, rural parts of the country, which are often the poorest communities, have not seen significant improvement. Only 39% of the rural population has access to safe water and sanitation. This has led to a multitude of problems, including waterborne diseases, which the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment states account for almost 80% of diseases in Vietnam.
One of the main waterborne diseases affecting people in Vietnam is gastrointestinal infections. A Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) found that the annual risk of gastrointestinal infection and disease burden was highest for urban farmers at 0.011 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per person per year. This was followed by sanitation workers at 0.006 DALYs, urban communities at risk of flooding at 0.0005 DALYs, and peri-urban farmers at 0.0004 DALYs. Urban farmers using wastewater from the To Lich River have a gastrointestinal disease burden that is about 100 times larger than that of other groups.
The QMRA was developed based on the measured concentration of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. and Ascaris spp. eggs in water samples. Published ratios between these organisms and pathogenic strains of norovirus, rotavirus, Campylobacter spp., pathogenic E. coli, pathogenic Salmonella spp., Cryptosporidium spp., and Ascaris lumbricoides were used to estimate the annual risk of gastrointestinal infection.
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Arsenic poisoning
Vietnam's rapid economic development has impacted river water quality, with an increased concentration of toxins in the water. This, along with the country's susceptibility to natural disasters, has led to water pollution and waterborne diseases.
Inorganic arsenic is the most toxic form and is found in high levels in the groundwater of several countries, including Vietnam. Long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic can lead to chronic arsenic poisoning, with skin lesions and skin cancer being the most characteristic effects. Other health complications include diabetes, heart disease, and neurotoxicity. The earlier arsenic exposure is detected, the better the outlook, as long-term exposure can increase the risk of cancer.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a provisional guideline value of 10 μg/L for arsenic in drinking water, but this can be difficult to achieve in practice. The best way to prevent arsenic poisoning is to avoid exposure by drinking clean, filtered water and ensuring that all foods are prepared with clean water. Vitamin E and selenium supplements have been used as alternative remedies to limit the effects of arsenic exposure, but more research is needed to support their effectiveness.
In Vietnam, the rapid industrialization and environmental pollution have likely contributed to the presence of arsenic in the water supply, putting the health of the 86 million population at risk.
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Norovirus, rotavirus, Campylobacter spp., pathogenic E. coli, Salmonella spp., Cryptosporidium spp. and Ascaris lumbricoides
Vietnam's population of over 86 million people is served by 2360 rivers, which should provide a copious supply of water to the nation. However, due to the lack of physical infrastructure and financial capacity, there is low utilization of the supply along with an uneven distribution of rainfall, resulting in water shortages throughout the country. This has led to a water crisis in Vietnam, with almost 80% of diseases in the country caused by polluted water.
One of the diseases caused by polluted water in Vietnam is Ascaris lumbricoides, a type of helminth infection. A study in Hanam province, northern Vietnam, found that 24% of participants were infected with Ascaris lumbricoides, and having close contact with polluted Nhue River water was a risk factor for infection.
Another disease that can be carried by polluted water in Vietnam is Campylobacter spp. A study in Hanoi, Vietnam, found that urban farmers using wastewater from the To Lich River had a high gastrointestinal disease burden, which was about 100 times larger than the health-based targets set by the World Health Organization.
Pathogenic E. coli (Escherichia coli) is also a concern in Vietnam's water. The Red River, the second-largest river in the country, has been found to have high levels of E. coli, exceeding Vietnamese water quality guidelines throughout the year.
Salmonella spp. is another disease-causing bacteria found in Vietnam's water. A study in Ho Chi Minh City found that retail raw meat and poultry samples from markets and supermarkets were heavily contaminated with Salmonella spp. (60.8%), indicating a potential breakdown of hygiene in the food processing and distribution chain.
Cryptosporidium spp. is a protozoan parasite that has been detected in environmental samples in Vietnam, including river water, sewage, and fishpond water. Cryptosporidium can cause human diarrheal disease, and it was found to contaminate 35% of the samples analyzed in one study.
Norovirus and rotavirus are two additional microbial pathogens that can be present in polluted water in Vietnam, particularly in urban floodwaters. These viruses can cause gastrointestinal infections and diseases such as diarrhea.
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Frequently asked questions
Polluted water in Vietnam accounts for nearly 80% of diseases in the country. These diseases include cholera, typhoid, dysentery, malaria, and diarrhoeal diseases.
Water pollution in Vietnam is caused by untreated wastewater from industries and agriculture activities, as well as natural disasters such as typhoons, storms, floods, and droughts.
Over 13 million Vietnamese do not have sufficient access to clean water, including 2.5 million people in rural areas. This leads to an increased risk of waterborne diseases and other health issues.
The use of wastewater and human excreta in agriculture poses significant health risks to those working in the fields and consuming the crops, especially in rice production.
Yes, the Red River Delta and Mekong River Delta in Vietnam have been reported to have high levels of arsenic in their groundwater, which is used as drinking water for the local population.
