Review on Emerging Waterborne Pathogens in Africa: The Case of Cryptosporidium

Gilver Odilon Mendel Kombo Mpindou,Estela Chordà Ramón,Ignacio Escuder Bueno

doi:10.3390/w13212966

Gilver Odilon Mendel Kombo Mpindou, Estela Chordà Ramón + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/w13212966

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Abstract

Water-related diseases, particularly waterborne diseases, remain significant sources of morbidity and mortality worldwide but especially in developing countries. Emerging waterborne pathogens represent a major health risk. Cryptosporidium is one such pathogen which is globally recognized as a major cause of diarrhea in children and adults. The objective of this paper is not only to review published studies on the impact of these emerging waterborne pathogens but also to identify the various risk factors that favor their transmission. A number of envisaged and needed actions to tackle the challenge of these pathogens in Africa have also been discussed. We have searched the web of ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus. ISI Web of Science, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. The first database search yielded 3099 articles. As a result, 141 studies were submitted for abstract review. A total of 68 articles were selected for full text analysis. After evaluating a considerable number of articles on this topic, the following results were obtained. A number of pathogens are likely to present public health risks, including Cryptosporidium. The contaminating potential of these pathogens is associated with a multitude of factors, such as the effects of climate change, social and behavioral aspects of local populations, water issues, geographical locations that may cause isolation, and inequalities due to lack of transparency of governments in the distribution of financial resources. We stress the need to maintain and strengthen real-time surveillance and rapid epidemiological responses to outbreaks and the emergence of new waterborne pathogens in all countries. African governments, for their part, should be aware of future risks of waterborne protozoan diseases. They must provide immediate and effective responses by establishing technical and financial mechanisms to ensure sufficient quantities of safe drinking water, sewage disposal, and hygiene for all.

Highlights

Diarrheal diseases have been classified as the fourth leading cause of death in children, after iron deficiency anemia, skin diseases, and protein-energy malnutrition
This paper presents the results of a review on emerging waterborne pathogens in Africa and on Cryptosporidium
Risk factors related to the consequences of climate change; social and behavioral factors of local populations; water problems; geographical positions that can cause isolation; and inequalities caused by the lack of transparency of African states in the distribution of financial resources are current and future challenges that African governments should address

Summary

Introduction

Diarrheal diseases have been classified as the fourth leading cause of death in children, after iron deficiency anemia, skin diseases, and protein-energy malnutrition. In Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified diarrheal diseases of viral, bacterial, and parasitic origin as leading causes of human mortality [1]. Responsible for waterborne epidemics worldwide, the disease burden due to Cryptosporidium is highest in Africa [3,4,5]. These pathogenic microorganisms are likely to be transmitted through contaminated drinking water, including both treated and untreated wastewater [6]. Surface waters are frequently polluted by unregulated wastewater discharges, poorly controlled wastewater treatment facilities, and inadequate waste disposal facilities in residential areas near rivers [7,8]

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