If you live in the United States, Europe, or another highly developed area, chances are you haven’t thought much about contaminated water. However, for much of the developing world, the quality of water for drinking and bathing can be the difference between life and death. This overview of waterborne illnesses offers insights into the diseases contracted through unsafe water, their causes, and how they can be prevented. We guarantee you’ll never look at a glass of water the same way again!
What Are Some Common Waterborne Illnesses?
Waterborne illnesses are diseases that are primarily contracted through contaminated water. They encompass a wide range of infections, including cholera, dysentery, and typhoid. These diseases significantly impact global health, particularly in developing countries with limited access to clean water and sanitation facilities.
Waterborne diseases are illnesses caused by pathogenic microorganisms most commonly transmitted through contaminated fresh water. Ingestion is the most common method of transmission, either directly by drinking contaminated water or indirectly by consuming food prepared with contaminated water.
Among the most common waterborne illnesses are cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and hepatitis A. Cholera and dysentery are often characterized by severe diarrhea and dehydration. In contrast, typhoid can cause a high fever, weakness, stomach pain, and loss of appetite. Hepatitis A affects the liver and can cause jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and eyes), fatigue, and nausea. Not to mention, the quality of your water also affects your dental health.
What Causes Waterborne Illnesses?
Every person needs water to ensure proper hydration, but poor sanitation and a lack of clean water supply quickly become the leading causes of waterborne diseases. When human waste, both biological and made-made, is not disposed of correctly, it can contaminate water sources. This is particularly problematic in areas without adequate water, sewer, and sanitation facilities.
In addition, natural disasters, including floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes, can exacerbate the problem by damaging water and sanitation infrastructure, leading to outbreaks of waterborne diseases.
How Do Waterborne Illnesses Impact the Global Economy?
The global impact of waterborne diseases is staggering. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 2 billion people use a drinking water source contaminated with feces, leading to nearly 1 million deaths annually from diarrheal diseases alone.
Developing countries bear the brunt of this burden. For instance, in sub-Saharan Africa, where access to clean water is severely limited, cholera outbreaks are frequent and often devastating. Similarly, in South Asia, typhoid remains a significant public health issue.
The economic toll of waterborne diseases is also considerable. Treatment costs and lost productivity due to illness can strain already limited resources in low-income countries.
Preventive Measures and Solutions
Preventing waterborne diseases involves improving access to clean water and sanitation facilities. The WHO and other international organizations associated with the United Nations are working on initiatives to achieve this, such as Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Individuals can also take precautions to prevent waterborne diseases. These include treating water before consumption with a drinking water filtration system for home, practicing good hygiene habits such as washing hands with soap regularly and being cautious about food preparation.
Federal, state, and local governments also play a crucial role in combating waterborne diseases by implementing policies that improve sanitation, regulate water quality, and promote public health education.
How You Can Help Stop Waterborne Illnesses
Waterborne illnesses pose a significant global health challenge. Their impact is felt most acutely in developing countries where access to clean water and sanitation facilities can be limited. However, with concerted efforts from individuals, governments, and international organizations that promote sustainable lifestyles, we can work towards a future where no one suffers from these preventable diseases.
Individuals need to understand the gravity of the situation and contribute in their own ways. Remember, every effort counts in making clean water and sanitation accessible for all and preventing the spread of waterborne diseases!
