How are waterborne diseases transmitted to humans?
Other than through drinking water (which accounts for approximately half of the outbreaks and one-third of the illnesses mentioned above), pathogenic microorganisms can infect humans through primary contact such as swimming or water skiing, secondary contact such as boating or fishing, and ingestion of contaminated shellfish. Proper treatment of wastewater, combined with treatment of drinking water and immunizations, has nearly eliminated diseases like cholera, typhoid fever, and polio within the United States. These diseases are still prevalent in other parts of the world. Presently in the U.S., about two thousand illnesses and ten to twelve outbreaks per year are attributed to waterborne microorganisms. This is ten percent of the number of incidents that occurred prior to the development of public sewers and water treatment systems.
