Download Contaminated Small Drinking Water Supplies and Risk of Infectious

Contaminated Small Drinking
Water Supplies and Risk of
Infectious Intestinal Disease
TANYA WHARTON
What is Infectious Intestinal Disease?
 Viruses, bacteria, parasites, or other pathogens,
microscopic organisms that cause disease) can cause
infections in the stomach and small and large
intestines, which often lead to gastroenteritis.
Intestinal infections affect the gastrointestinal * tract,
often causing diarrhea. Gastroenteritis, an
inflammation of the stomach and intestines frequently
accompanies such infections.
Aim
 This study was conducted to find out whether there
is a higher risk of intestinal infectious disease (IID)
that exists in small water supplies.
 Small water supply in this study were private water
supply such as well water.
Focus
 The study was conducted in two rural areas in
England, Norfolk and Suffolk.
 A random sample of 2359 households were sent
questionnaires that were believed to have private
water supply.
Method & Data

Exposure was measured through collection of two 500ml samples
from the main drinking water source at the time of recruitment and
12 weeks post.
Household visits were carried out by two field researchers
who conducted interviews and questionnaires.
 Participants also completed a daily diary for 12 weeks to
write down any symptoms they were experiencing.
(diarrhea, vomiting , fever, stomach pains and nausea)
Defined
 A defined case of IID was vomiting or/and diarrhea
once or more in a 24hr period.
Findings
 In households who were exposed the prevalence was
3-9 days.
 Incidence was 1-2 episodes per person year.
 Strong relation between age and contracting IID.
 children under age 10 are at higher risk than those
10-59.