 |
Emerging issues in water and infectious disease
New diseases, including water-related diseases, periodically "emerge" either because they are newly recognized or because their importance increases. This may be due to the micro-organisms themselves evolving, to changes in the way we manage water resources and supplies; changes in the tools and methods used to study the organisms and the health effects they cause; or due to changes in the human population itself.
WHO, USEPA and other agencies collaborate to address some of these challenges through an initiative on Emerging Issues in Water and Infectious Disease. The initiative leads to development and publication of state-of-the-art reviews based on wide international expert consultation, including:
Reviews published on emerging issues in water and infectious disease include:
Questions & answers on potential transmission of avian influenza (H5N1) through water, sanitation and hygiene and ways to reduce the risks to human health [pdf 338kb]
Legionella and the prevention of legionellosis
Review of latest available evidence on risks to human health through potential transmission of avian influenza (H5N1) through water and sewage
Waterborne zoonoses: identification, causes and control
Heterotrophic plate count measurement and drinking water safety
Toxic cyanobacteria in water: public health consequences, monitoring and management
Pathogenic mycobacteria in water: A guide to public health consequences, monitoring and management
Issues which are presently being worked on include:
- Severe health effects from infections acquired during recreational/bathing water use
- Assessing and managng the safety of shell-fish growing waters
Other information that may be of interest
::
Guidelines for drinking_water quality: Microbiological agents in drinking water
::
Guidelines for drinking water quality: chemicals index
::
Water-related disease fact sheets
::
Water, sanitation and hygiene links to health: facts and figures updated November 2004
|
|
