Water is the source of life, but it can also be a means of infection by bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms that can lead to severe health issues. According to the U.S. Global Change Research Program, researchers sadly predict that waterborne diseases will become more likely due to global warming. Higher temperatures could expand the range of some parasites and bacteria, lengthen the bloom season of certain toxic algae, and stress water infrastructure to the point of failure, as reported by Live Science.
Here is a list of diseases that untreated water can carry:
1. **Cholera**
Cholera occurs when one is infected by the Vibrio cholerae bacterium. Symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting, which can quickly lead to death due to dehydration and shock. Cholera was a leading cause of death in 19th-century London due to rapid population growth and a lack of sewage treatment, with the prevailing theory attributing the disease to "miasmas," including contaminated air. However, when Dr. John Snow mapped cases during an outbreak in 1854, the map revealed a commonality among patients: specifically, water from a pump on Broad Street in Soho. His data convinced authorities to shut down the pump, earning him a place in history as a pioneer of modern epidemiology. Unfortunately, cholera victims still fall even today, with the World Health Organization reporting between 1.3 million and 4 million cases each year, resulting in around 21,000 to 143,000 deaths. The disease can be treated with oral rehydration solutions, which are simply clean water mixed with sugar and salt. Thus, these deaths are not due to a lack of treatment options, but rather due to a lack of access to treatment among vulnerable populations. Preventing cholera deaths requires proper sanitation and access to clean water.
2. **Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM)**
Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis is a rare but terrifying infection caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba, which lives in freshwater lakes, rivers, and hot springs. The amoeba multiplies in water temperatures above 30°C and thrives at 35 to 45°C. It does not cause infection as part of its life cycle; problems arise only if it is forced into the brain through the nose, which can happen when swimmers jump or dive into water contaminated with the amoeba. The rarity of the infection means there are fewer than 10 cases in the U.S. each year, according to the CDC. However, when PAM occurs, the outcome nearly always results in death worldwide. The amoeba enters the brain, causing an inflammatory response that leads to swelling and destruction of brain tissue. More than 97% of infected individuals die, and survivors are often left with permanent brain damage. Prevention focuses on avoiding the introduction of freshwater into the nose, meaning one should not dive headfirst into warm, stagnant water and should wear nose plugs while swimming in freshwater lakes and rivers.
3. **Giardiasis**
Individuals infected with giardiasis experience weeks of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The disease is caused by a single-celled organism called Giardia lamblia, which attaches to the inner wall of the intestine. It reproduces by entering a cyst stage and exiting the body in feces. These cysts can survive in water or soil for several months. Infection usually occurs when people drink contaminated water, although Giardia can also spread directly from person to person or through contaminated food. According to the Mayo Clinic, the body often clears the parasites on its own, but antiparasitic medications and antibiotics are sometimes used for those with prolonged illness. To prevent giardiasis, one should avoid consuming untreated water.
4. **Acanthamoeba**
Acanthamoeba is ubiquitous in freshwater and marine waters. More often than not, it causes an eye infection known as Acanthamoeba keratitis, which can be treated. However, the infection can sometimes spread to the skin or other tissues. If the infection reaches the brain or spinal cord, it is known as granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE), a disease that can be fatal in many cases. There are no specific guidelines to avoid GAE, but it should be noted that there are cases linked to rinsing the sinuses with unsterilized or distilled water. In all these cases, the patients had weakened immune systems.
5. **Typhoid Fever**
Typhoid fever is one of the most dangerous waterborne diseases, causing an estimated 110,000 deaths each year according to the World Health Organization. The disease is caused by the bacterium Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi, which causes fever, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and constipation. While the disease can be treated with antibiotics, there are antibiotic-resistant strains that complicate and increase the cost of treatment. According to WHO, about 1% to 4% of infected individuals are asymptomatic but still excrete the bacteria in urine and feces, contributing to the silent spread of the disease. Vaccines against typhoid fever are available and recommended for residents of endemic areas and travelers to those regions. It is advisable to drink bottled or treated water from reliable sources and to avoid drinking raw milk, as even in developed countries, unpasteurized milk can harbor pathogenic bacteria.
6. **Necrotizing Fasciitis**
Necrotizing fasciitis, which eats away at human flesh, can occur when submerging in a lake or ocean. It is a collection of infections caused by various bacteria attacking soft tissues. These infections can occur whenever there is a tear in the skin, including post-surgical cases. Most often, the culprits are Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus, but other bacteria can also become "flesh-eating." In freshwater, bacteria from the Aeromonas genus can cause flesh-eating infections, while in ocean waters, Vibrio vulnificus is a common cause. According to the Indiana University School of Medicine, most people who contract necrotizing fasciitis have weakened immune systems due to conditions like diabetes. Doctors recommend avoiding entering water bodies if an individual has an open wound, especially if suffering from a condition that weakens the immune response.
7. **Guinea Worm Disease**
A horrifying parasitic infection can occur due to the Dracunculus medinensis worm. This disease mainly affects Angola, Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, and Sudan, occurring in rural areas where drinking water sources may come from ponds or other stagnant water sources. The parasitic worm releases its larvae into the water, where they are consumed by tiny crustaceans. If a person inadvertently ingests some of these crustaceans through drinking water, the worm will develop inside the human body; after about a year, a blister will appear on the skin, and a mature female worm, reaching up to one meter long, will slowly and painfully emerge. The deep wound left by the worm can easily become infected. Experts recommend avoiding drinking unfiltered water in countries where Guinea worm disease is prevalent (mostly in sub-Saharan Africa). The good news is that Guinea worm disease is on the verge of eradication, thanks to over 40 years of international efforts to improve water sanitation and treat Guinea worm disease. According to the World Health Organization, there were about 3.5 million human cases annually in 20 countries in the mid-1980s; by 2023, according to the Carter Center, there are only 14 cases remaining.
