In:
Epidemiology and Infection, Cambridge University Press (CUP), Vol. 121, No. 1 ( 1998-08), p. 109-119
Kurzfassung:
Following the introduction of an improved surveillance
system for infectious intestinal disease outbreaks in England and Wales, the Public Health Laboratory Service Communicable
Disease Surveillance Centre received reports of 26 outbreaks between 1 January
1992 and 31 December 1995 in which there was evidence for waterborne transmission of infection.
In these 26 outbreaks, 1756 laboratory confirmed cases were identified of whom 69 (4%) were admitted to
hospital. In 19 outbreaks, illness was associated with the consumption of drinking water from
public supplies (10 outbreaks) or private supplies (9 outbreaks). The largest outbreak consisted
of 575 cases. In 4 of the remaining 7 outbreaks, illness was associated with exposure to
swimming pool water. Cryptosporidium was identified as the probable causative organism in
all 14 outbreaks associated with public water supplies and swimming pools. Campylobacter
was responsible for most outbreaks associated with private water supplies. This review confirms
a continuing risk of cryptosporidiosis from chlorinated water supplies in England and Wales,
and reinforces governmental advice to water utilities that water treatment processes should be
rigorously applied to ensure effective particle removal. High standards of surveillance are
important for prompt recognition of outbreaks and institution of control measures. As
microbiological evidence of water contamination may be absent or insufficient to implicate a
particular water supply, a high standard of epidemiological investigation is recommended in all
outbreaks of suspected waterborne disease.
Materialart:
Online-Ressource
ISSN:
0950-2688
,
1469-4409
DOI:
10.1017/S0950268898001083
Sprache:
Englisch
Verlag:
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publikationsdatum:
1998
ZDB Id:
1470211-3
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