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Waterborne Disease of Possible Concern

Waterborne Diseases of Possible Concern When Flood Waters Recede


Disease and Sources of Agent
Microbial Agent General Symptoms
Transmission in Water Supply
Amebiasis* Protozoan Sewage, non-treated Abdominal discomfort, fatigue,
(hand-to-mouth (Entamoeba drinking water, flies weight loss, diarrhea, gas pains
histolytic) in water supply
(Cyst-like
appearance
Campylobacteriosis Bacterium Untreated water, Fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea
(oral-fecal) (vibrio cholerae) sewage, poor
hygiene, crowded
living conditions with
inadequate sewage
facilities
Cholera* Bacterium Untreated water, Watery diarrhea, vomiting,
(oral-fecal) (vibrio cholerae) sewage, poor occasional muscle cramps
(of lesser concern hygiene, crowded
in U.S.) living conditions with
inadequate sewage
facilities.
Cryptosporidiosis Protozoan Collects on water Diarrhea, abdominal discomfort
(oral) (Cryptosporidium filters and membranes
parvum) that cannot be
disinfected, animal
manure, seasonal
runoff of water.
Giardiasis* Protozoan Untreated water, poor Diarrhea, abdominal discomfort,
(oral-fecal) (Giardia lamblia) disinfection, pipe bloating, gas and gas pains
(hand-to-mouth) Most common breaks, leaks,
intestinal parasite groundwater
contamination,
campgrounds where
humans and wildlife
use same source of
water. Beavers and
muskrats act as a
reservoir for Giardia.
Hepatitis* Virus Raw sewage, Fever, chills, abdominal
(oral-fecal) (Hepatitis A) untreated drinking discomfort, jaundice, urine
dark water, poor hygiene,
ingestion of shellfish
from sewage-flooded
beds

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Waterborne Disease of Possible Concern

Sources of Agent
Disease and Microbial Agent General Symptoms
in Water Supply
Transmission
Salmonellosis Bacterium Contaminated water, Gastroenteritis, fever and rapid
(oral transmission) (Salmonella shellfish, turtles, fish blood-poisoning.
species)
Shigellosis* Bacterium Sludge, untreated Fever, diarrhea, bloody stools
(oral-fecal) (Shigella species) wastewater,
groundwater
contamination, poorly
disinfected drinking
water.
Typhoid fever* Bacterium Raw sewage (carried Fever, headache, constipation,
(oral-fecal) (Salmonella typhi) and excreted in feces appetite loss, nausea, diarrhea,
(of lesser concern by humans), water vomiting, abdominal rash
in U.S.) supplies with surface
water source.
Legionnaire's Bacterium/bacteria Cooling towers, Flu- and pneumonia-like
disease* (Legionellaceae showers through symptoms: malaise, achiness,
(inhalation) and L. cincinnatus) inhalation of vapors, fever, chills, headache, nausea,
raw sewage, stagnant dizziness, coughing, chest
clean drinking water congestion, chest pain pressure,
in water tanks or possible vomiting.
towers, construction
sites near rivers,
lakes.
Pontiac fever Bacterium Same sources as Milder form of Legionnaire's
(inhalation) (Legionellaceae) Legionnaire's disease. disease. Pneumonia-like
symptoms, but without fever.
Illness is shorter in length.
Viral gastroenteritis Viruses Sewage, Repeated vomiting and diarrhea
(oral-fecal) (includes Norwalk contaminated water, over 24-hour period,
and rotavirus inadequately gastrointestinal discomfort,
family) disinfected drinking headache, fever.
water (mostly surface
water sources).

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