Detection of Giardia, Cryptosporidium and enteric viruses in surface and tap water samples in Spain

Abstract

Numerous outbreaks of waterborne gastrointestinal disease have been attributed to Giardia, Cryptosporidium and rotaviruses. The presence of these organisms in surface water and in treated tap water poses a public health risk. We conducted a pilot survey of surface and tap water in Spain to determine the level of Giardia, Cryptosporidium enterovirus and rotavirus contamination. Five out of eight surface water samples tested (63%) were positive for Giardia four out of eight (50%) were positive for Cryptosporidium and two out of seven (29%) were positive for enteric viruses. Seven out of ten surface waters tested (70%) were positive for an enteric pathogen. Two out of nine (22%), three out of nine (33%) and two out of 11 (18%) tap water samples tested were positive for Giardia, Cryptosporidium and enteric viruses, respectively. Five out of 13 samples tested (45%) were positive for an enteric pathogen. These results suggest that the extent of source water contamination, the pathogen removal efficiency of drin...