H2O Health: Lowering Waterborne Disease Related Risk Volume 57- Issue 2

Sarvananda L¹* and Amal D Premarathna²

• ¹Molecular Nutritional and Biochemistry Laboratory, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
• ²School of Natural Sciences and Health, Tallinn University, Estonia

Received: June 24, 2024; Published: July 01, 2024

*Corresponding author: Sarvananda L, Molecular Nutritional and Biochemistry Laboratory, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka Email: sarvacool18@gmail.com

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2024.57.008980

Abstract PDF

The lack of fresh water is wreaking havoc on the population of the world’s least developed countries. Waterborne illnesses account for 4.1 ` of total disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), with a death rate of 1.8 million people per year, according to the WHO. Many microorganisms and chemicals have the potential to cause waterborne illnesses in people, and they may be sources of water pollution. Some infections are only active and cause disease when they are in contact with the host. The goal of this article is to determine what causes waterborne illnesses and how to prevent them. We’ve included the most recent scientific data on waterborne illnesses in one overview. Water pollution can be caused by natural or man-made factors, and it can be deliberate or unintentional. Humans get affected most commonly as a result of unintentionally swallowing or coming into touch with polluted water. Individual hygiene and sanitation are the most important strategies to avoid water-borne illnesses, according to a review of the scientific literature. Waterborne illnesses may be avoided with a cleanliness strategy.

Keywords: Waterborne Diseases; Cleanliness; Prevention; Contamination

Waterborne illnesses are frequently transmitted by pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Individuals can be affected by directly consuming bacteria-infested water or by cooking or swimming in contaminated water. Waterborne illnesses, particularly diarrhoea, are more common in developed nations (Messner, et al. [1]). Although industrialized nations are not excluded from the list, the prevalence in developing countries is 5 to 6 times greater (WHO [2]). Waterborne illnesses have become less common, although they are still a major source of gastrointestinal problems (Patz, et al. [3]) It should be highlighted that waterborne illness management relates to cleanliness and the preservation of cleanliness and hygiene, but individuals should also be aware of new environmental changes. The World Health Organization forecasts a 5.1-11.6 % increase in HCAI in industrialised nations (WHO [4]). Long-term hospitalizations, longterm injuries, a rise in germs and antimicrobials, increased healthcare expenditures, high costs for patients and their families, and needless deaths are all side consequences of HCAI. Due to specific exposure situations, crucial water must be taken among the various causes of illness (Anaissie, et al. [5]).

Drinking water serves a variety of purposes in the health-care setting, including cleaning, air conditioning, ice manufacturing, patient bathing, physiotherapy, and dishwashing, as well as cleaning and repairing medical equipment (Williams, et al. [6]). Biofilm, stagnation, corrosion, and systemic dispersion all contribute to the presence of various bacteria in drinking water (Borella, et al. [6,7]). Aerobic gram-negative basil and non-tuberculosis mycobacteria are among the bacteria linked to nosocomial infections induced by water; other studies also include fungal and viral infections (Anaissie, et al. [5,8- 10]). Patients with problems, such as the elderly or cancer, leukaemia, degenerative illness, diabetes, and transplant, are at risk of developing severe disease when exposed to water (Sheffer, et al. [11-14]).

Waterborne illnesses are regarded as one of the most serious public health risks.3 Water contamination is caused by over 100 viruses, bacteria, and other diseases (Patz, et al. [3]). Despite the fact that there are few researches on the prevalence of watery diarrhoea, the illness is widespread. Rotavirus is responsible for around 35% of all diarrhoea in children. Each year, the rotavirus kills more than half a million children (Table 1).

Table 1: Pathogens that Cause Aquatic Illnesses.

Waterborne illnesses are frequently caused by non-communicable disorders. 8 pathogens found in water as describe by Straub and Chandler in 2003. (Straub, et al. [15]).

A drain hole that sprays polluted water is the most frequent mode of delivery. People’s reliance on agriculture or aquaculture, as well as the demand for polluted wastewater treatment, can lead to food contamination. 10 Water-borne illnesses can be spread by the use of polluted water in the home, including bathing. 11 The human immune system is infected, as seen in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Mechanism of Transmission of Waterborne Pathogens.

The execution of comprehensive management methods is an essential component in reducing microbial contamination in the environment and ensuring the safety of high-risk patients. Evidence of effectiveness and reduction in HCAI water levels stated in guidelines published in various research has been found to be effective (Anaissie, et al. [5,9,11,16-18]). Because there is insufficient water disinfection to reduce the risk of illness, it is necessary to devise a comprehensive preventive strategy (WHO [19]; Decker & Palmore [10]). The most important and simple steps to reduce the risk of HCAI from water include:

1. I waterborne illness education for caregivers and family members.

2. Providing clean drinking water to patients;

3. Identifying other water-supply equipment and machines that require water.

4. Providing regular cleaning and maintenance programmes for showers, bathrooms, and showers; and

5. Installing disinfection systems. Although international standards for preventing Legionnaires’ disease have been established, there are significant signs that they have not been followed. The following suggestions, in our opinion, should be followed for Legionella environmental pollution control and preventive measures to avoid legionnaires’ disease:

a) Assemble a team of all interested professionals, including engineers, professionals, nurses, doctors, microbiologists, and public health doctors.

b) Examine the environment in which microorganisms can be found and identify key elements in the water distribution system.

c) Strategies to define risk in terms of the number of patients exposed, the patient’s medical state, and isolated legionellae infection and

d) Decision-making following a thorough cost-benefit analysis.

The most essential aspect in avoiding waterborne illnesses is hygiene. To prevent the transmission of germs, complete preventive procedures include thorough bathing, washing, and drying.

Make that the Water is Free of Contaminants

Have safe drinking water for cooking, cleaning, washing and handling veggies, and other necessities. The port prohibits animals from reaching the water in order to limit toilets.

Drained Water Safety

Boiling, filtration, or disinfection are all options for rinsing drained water. To decrease the virus’s capacity to spread illness, medical attention may be required.

Standard methods for case management and implementation of existing prevention/management systems do not exist, according to a study of published water-related papers; all recommendations need be reviewed and changed on a case-by-case basis. We recommend that children and patients be closely monitored for poor sanitation and personal hygiene, and that the device be cleaned with clean water, as polluted water does not appear to be unavoidable. Finally, doctors, nurses, microbiologists, nutritionists, and other professionals will compile the most up-to-date information on active waterborne diseases and combine a variety of programmes to prevent and control waste water exposure, thereby lowering disease-related risk and reaping the unavoidable health benefits for the patient and his family.

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