Abstract
Waterborne gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses demonstrate seasonal increases associated with water quality and meteorological characteristics. However, few studies have been conducted on the association of hydrological parameters, such as streamflow, and seasonality of GI illnesses. Streamflow is correlated with biological contamination and can be used as proxy for drinking water contamination. We compare seasonal patterns of GI illnesses in the elderly (65 years and older) along the Ohio River for a 14-year period (1991–2004) to seasonal patterns of streamflow. Focusing on six counties in close proximity to the river, we compiled weekly time series of hospitalizations for GI illnesses and streamflow data. Seasonal patterns were explored using Poisson annual harmonic regression with and without adjustment for streamflow. GI illnesses demonstrated significant seasonal patterns with peak timing preceding peak timing of streamflow for all six counties. Seasonal patterns of illness remain consistent after adjusting for streamflow. This study found that the time of peak GI illness precedes the peak of streamflow, suggesting either an indirect relationship or a more direct path whereby pathogens enter water supplies prior to the peak in streamflow. Such findings call for interdisciplinary research to better understand associations among streamflow, pathogen loading, and rates of gastrointestinal illnesses.
Highlights
Waterborne pathogens are a significant health concern worldwide, with an estimated 88% of diarrheal diseases attributable to unsafe water supplies [1]
Disease causing waterborne protozoa, such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium spp., are ubiquitous in water supplies and have been detected in both surface water sources and finished, post-treatment, drinking water supplies [4,5,6]. These protozoa were detected in 97% of samples of raw surface waters tested in Eastern and Midwestern states in the United States [5] and Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 34 of 35 samples of river waters in Washington State [7]
The streamflow data for Jefferson Co, KY and Daviess Co, KY were collected from Ohio River monitoring stations, which reported higher values for streamflow since it is a larger water body, whereas data for the other counties were gathered from tributaries which flowed into the Ohio River
Summary
Waterborne pathogens are a significant health concern worldwide, with an estimated 88% of diarrheal diseases attributable to unsafe water supplies [1]. Disease causing waterborne protozoa, such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium spp., are ubiquitous in water supplies and have been detected in both surface water sources and finished, post-treatment, drinking water supplies [4,5,6]. These protozoa were detected in 97% of samples of raw surface waters tested in Eastern and Midwestern states in the United States [5] and Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 34 of 35 samples of river waters in Washington State [7]. These pathogens are common in the environment, the concentration of the pathogens demonstrate seasonal patterns in surface waters [7,8,9,10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
