Waterborne Disease Outbreaks, 1986-1988.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Environmental Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Waterborne disease outbreaks pose a significant public health risk.
• Surveillance data from 1986-1988 indicate continued challenges in ensuring safe drinking water.
• Both treated and untreated water sources have been implicated in outbreaks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze trends and identify causative agents of waterborne disease outbreaks in the United States and Puerto Rico from 1986 to 1988.
• To highlight specific pathogens and water sources associated with significant outbreaks.
• To inform public health interventions for water safety.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data reported to the Water-Related Disease Outbreak Surveillance System.
• Identification of implicated pathogens, water sources, and affected populations.
• Categorization of outbreaks by water use (drinking vs. recreational).

Main Results:

• Fifty drinking water outbreaks affected 25,846 people; Giardia lamblia was the most common protozoal agent, and Shigella sonnei the most common bacterial agent.
• Cryptosporidium caused the largest outbreak (13,000 people) from filtered, chlorinated water. Norwalk-like virus from contaminated ice affected 5,000 people.
• Recreational water use led to 26 outbreaks, including Pseudomonas dermatitis, shigellosis, giardiasis, and viral illnesses.

Conclusions:

• Despite a declining trend in reported outbreaks, large-scale events caused by specific pathogens remain a concern.
• Contamination of both treated and untreated water sources, as well as commercially produced ice, can lead to widespread illness.
• Continued vigilance and improved water treatment and source protection are crucial for preventing waterborne diseases.