Water borne diseases are illnesses that are caused by consuming or coming into contact with contaminated water. These diseases are a global health problem, especially in areas where water is poor quality, and sanitation systems are underdeveloped. Understanding these diseases and taking preventive measures can protect people and communities from their harmful effects.
In this blog, we will examine what Water–Borne diseases are, how they spread, and effective strategies you can take to prevent them.
What are Water–Borne Diseases?
Water Borne Diseases are infections that occur when people drink water that contains harmful organisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemicals. Contaminated water is the cause of many diseases, especially in the area where water treatment systems are lacking, or hygiene practices are poor.
Common Contaminants Water:
- Bacteria: Salmonella and Vibrio cholerae, which cause typhoid and cholera.
- Viruses: Such as the Hepatitis A virus.
- Parasites: Giardia and cryptosporidium, which cause digestive infections.
- Chemical Contaminants: Industrial waste and toxic chemicals that find their way into the water supply.
Common Water–Borne Diseases List
- Cholera: Cholera is a serious disease caused by Vibrio cholerae. It spreads through contaminated water or food and causes diarrhea, vomiting, and rapid dehydration. Cholera is most common in areas where there is no access to clean, sanitary water.
- Typhoid Fever: Typhoid Fever is caused by Salmonella typhi is spread through contaminated food and water. Symptoms include high fever, stomach pain, and fatigue. Typhoid Fever is common in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene practices.
- Dysentery: Dysentery is a stomach infection that causes severe diarrhea with blood or mucus. It can be caused by bacteria such as Shigella or bacteria such as Entamoeba histolytica. It often spreads through contaminated water and food, due to poor hygiene.
- Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A is a disease that affects the liver. It is spread by consuming food or water contaminated with the Hepatitis A virus. Symptoms include jaundice, fatigue, nausea and stomach pain.
- Giardiasis: Giardiasis is caused by the bacteria Giardia lamblia, which is spread through contaminated water. It can cause stomach cramps, bloating, and diarrhea.
- Cryptosporidiosis: This disease is caused by Cryptosporidium, a bacteria found in contaminated water. It infects the digestive system, causing diarrhea, abdominal pain and nausea. It is often associated with improper water.
How Do Water–Borne Disease Spread?
Water–Borne diseases are often spread through drinking water that has been contaminated with harmful bacteria or chemicals. Water contaminated can occur in various points:
- Natural Water Sources: Rivers, lakes, and ponds can become contaminated by animal or human waste, especially in areas where open defecation is common. This waste can introduce bacteria, viruses, and parasites into the water.
- Sewage and Sanitation: Improper sewage treatment or improper disposal can lead to pollution of nearby water bodies. If human waste is not properly managed, it can seep into groundwater or nearby rivers, spreading harmful pathogens.
- Agricultural Runoff: Pesticides and fertilizers are often used on fields, and these can leach into the water, carrying chemicals and diseases. Animal waste from agriculture can also pollute the water.
- Industrial Pollution: Factories and industries that discharge their waste into water without treatment cause water pollution. Chemicals runoff and toxic substances can pollute water.
- Poor Hygiene Practice: The potential for infection is greater in areas where hygiene standards are low. People may use contaminated water to wash food or bathe, putting them at risk of infection.
Symptoms of Water–Borne Diseases
Symptoms of Water–Borne Diseases can vary depending on the specific diseases, but common symptoms include:
- Diarrhea: A frequent and often severe symptoms, which can lead to dehydration.
- Vomiting: Along with diarrhea, vomiting also causes fluid loss.
- Abdominal cramps: Abdominal pain is common in many water-borne diseases.
- Fever: Many water-borne infections cause fever as the body tries to fight the illness.
- Fatigue: The combination of dehydration and infection can cause extreme fatigue.
- Dehydration: Severe diarrhea and vomiting can lead to dehydration, which is especially dangerous in children and the elderly.
- Jaundice: In cases such as hepatitis A, jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes, can occur due to liver damage.
Preventing Measures for Water–Borne Diseases
Preventing Water–Borne Diseases requires action at both the community and individual levels. Here are the important steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones from these diseases:
Assure Access to Clean Drinking Water
Access to clean drinking water is a fundamental requirement to prevent diseases caused by water. Here’s how you can ensure that your water is safe to drink:
- Water Filtration: Use proper filtration systems to remove harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses from your drinking water.
- Boiling Water: Boiling water before drinking kills the most harmful bacteria. This is a good method when lean drinking water is not available.
- Water Purification: These are easy-to-use tablets kill water and make it safe to drink, especially when travelling or in emergency situations.
- Use of Bottled Water: In areas where the safety of tap water is important, bottled water is a better choice.
Improve Sanitation and Hygiene Practices
Good hygiene and proper sanitation are important to prevent water-borne diseases. Some important steps include:
- Building Proper Sanitation Facilities: Communities should have access to toilets and efficient sewage systems to prevent open defection, which is a major cause of water pollution.
- Handwashing: Washing your hands regularly with soap, especially after using the toilet and before touching food, can reduce the spread of water–borne diseases.
- Proper Waste Disposal: Proper disposal of household and industrial waste can prevent harmful chemicals and pathogens from entering the water supply.
Treat Water at The Community Level
Communities and authorities play an important role in confirming that the water supplied to households is purified and drinkable. Measures they can use include.
- Water Treatment Pants: Properly functioning water treatment plant filters and purifies water before it reaches your homes, reducing the risk of pollution.
- Regular Monitoring of Water Sources: Local authorities should regularly use water sources to ensure they meet safety standards.
Educating the Public About Water Safety
Raising awareness about water-borne diseases and how to prevent them is critical to combating these illnesses. Public education efforts should include:
- Community Programs: Educating people about the dangers of drinking polluted water and teaching them how to purify water at home can help prevent illness.
- School Education: Teaching children the importance of hygiene, water safety, and the importance of handwashing can establish healthy habits from a young age.
Promote Vaccination
Vaccines are available to treat certain waterborne diseases, such as typhoid and Hepatitis A.
- Typhoid Vaccine: This protects people who are at risk contracting typhoid in areas with poor sanitation.
- Hepatitis A Vaccine: This vaccine helps prevent liver infection caused by drinking polluted water.
Practice Good Food Management
Since water-borne diseases can also spread through food contaminated food, it is important to follow safe food handling practices:
- Wash Fruits and Vegetables Thoroughly: Always wash them, thoroughly especially those that have been grown or washed with polluted water.
- Cook Food Properly: Cooking food to the right temperatures can kill harmful bacteria that can come from dirty water.
- Avoid Street Food in risky Areas: In areas with poor sanitation, street food may be prepared with dirty water, increasing the risk of infection.
Conclusion
Water–Borne Diseases are preventable, but they continue to be a global health problem, especially in areas where there is a lack of adequate water and sanitation. By understanding how these dangerous diseases spread and using effective prevention measures, such as improving water quality, promoting cleanliness, encouraging cleanliness and raising public awareness, we can protect ourselves and our communities from this dangerous disease.
Government, community leaders and individuals must work together to combat waterborne disease. Working together, we can ensure the spread of these preventable diseases.
Water is life, and protecting it is our responsibility. Let us take the necessary steps today to create a healthy tomorrow.