Reham Almosawi

Contaminated water is a significant source of bacterial infections that can seriously endanger public health, especially in areas with poor sanitation. Among the most common bacterial diseases transmitted through polluted water are cholera, caused by Vibrio cholerae, which leads to severe diarrhea and dehydration; typhoid fever, caused by Salmonella typhi, characterized by high fever, abdominal pain, and general weakness; as well as paratyphoid fever, caused by the related bacterium Salmonella paratyphi. Additionally, dysentery, most often caused by bacteria of the Shigella genus, manifests with bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Escherichia coli, particularly pathogenic strains such as E. coli O157:H7, found in the feces of humans and animals, can also cause serious gastrointestinal problems. Leptospirosis, caused by the bacterium Leptospira, is transmitted through contact with water contaminated by the urine of infected animals and may lead to liver and kidney damage. All these infections are most commonly spread through the fecal-oral route and highlight the importance of access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation infrastructure, and proper hygiene practices. Prevention is based on proper water treatment, hand hygiene, safe waste disposal, and public health education.

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhi

Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi

Reham Almosawi

Bacterial infections transmitted by polluted water include cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, and Escherichia coli infections. Other potentially waterborne pathogens, such as Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Helicobacter pylori, and Legionella have also been identified. These infections are caused by bacteria entering the water supply, often through contamination from sewage or fecal matter, and are then ingested by humans.

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Let's remember that E. coli in water is an indicator of fecal pollution and not a water born pathogen per se. Pathogenic E. coli strains are primarily a risk in food contamination.

Legionella risk is not related to pollution per se fecal or otherwise. Helicobacter risk is obscure.