The water-borne diseases are caused by water contaminated with human and animal waste or chemicals.
They are water-borne diseases as cholera, typhoid, dysentery, polio, meningitis and hepatitis A and B. The places that lack adequate sanitation facilities favor the rapid spread of these diseases because feces exposed “open” contain infectious organisms that contaminate food and water.
The most of these diseases can be prevented with improved public sanitation, provision of clean water and hygienic measures like washing hands after using the toilet or before preparing food. The construction of sanitary latrines and sewage treatment to allow the biodegradation of human wastes will help curb diseases caused by pollution.
The lack of adequate water for consumption is a direct source of disease, so to protect the health not only have water. The water’s ability to transmit disease depends on its microbiological quality. Diseases can be caused by viruses, bacteria or protozoa.
What is considered microbiologically safe water? It is water that is free of any pathogen (or capable of causing illness) and characteristics of bacteria of fecal contamination. Although water has many beneficial uses, domestic use (drinking, cooking, cleaning and bathing) is especially important because of its relationship to disease and health.
The existence of microbiologically unsafe water is a serious public health problem in Latin America and the Caribbean, but can reduce the incidence of disease by microbial contamination of water, if water is supplied microbiologically safe and with greater personal and domestic hygiene , and a stronger community participation. The term microbe or microorganism refers to organisms so tiny that can not be seen with the naked eye.
Tags: disease and health, food and water, viruses, washing hands, water-borne diseases
