Over 267 million preschool-age children and over 568 million school-age children
live in areas where these parasites are intensively transmitted (WHO 2017).
1.3 Waterborne Pathogens
1.3.1 Different Microorganisms Causing Diseases
There are over 500 waterborne pathogens of potential concern that have been
identified by various regulatory authorities. They belong to various groups of
microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasitic protozoa. WHO
conducts repeated epidemiological studies in almost all the countries with the help
of the local government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and estimates
the risk factors, diseases, and organisms. The major waterborne enteric pathogens
consist of Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp., Shigella
sp., Enterobacter sp., and Vibrio sp., which are spread through the orofecal route,
mainly in regions where sanitation facilities and sewage disposal are poor. This also
leads to foodborne diseases through pathogenic bacterial species of Campylobacter,
Salmonella, Arcobacter, Helicobacter, and Yersinia (Pandey et al. 2014; RamirezCastillo 2015). Some of the most important waterborne pathogens identified in
WHO surveillance are listed in Table 1.1.
1.3.2 Major Bacterial Pathogens
Escherichia coli It is one of the major microorganisms found in the gut region of
almost all warm-blooded animals causing no harm in normal conditions. However,
strains like “verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC), Shiga toxin-producing E. coli
(STEC), or enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC)” are the pathogens that lead to severe
diarrhea and they are released into the water bodies through feces. Transmission
through contact and water is well established and recorded in many articles (FalupPecurariu et al. 2019; Pires et al. 2019).
Salmonella Salmonella generally does not multiply in the environment but they can
survive in different environmental conditions. Salmonella infection (salmonellosis)
is a general bacterial disease that affects the human gastrointestinal tract. These
bacteria colonize animal and human guts and are shed through feces to the environment. They are generally transmitted through contaminated water and food. The
other severe forms of Salmonella infections are typhoid (enteric fever) and paratyphoid (Mu et al. 2019; Zha et al. 2019).
Yersinia enterocolitica It is another pathogenic bacterium affecting humans
through water contaminated with swine manure. Both Salmonella and Yersinia are
4
S. Rath
live in areas where these parasites are intensively transmitted (WHO 2017).
1.3 Waterborne Pathogens
1.3.1 Different Microorganisms Causing Diseases
There are over 500 waterborne pathogens of potential concern that have been
identified by various regulatory authorities. They belong to various groups of
microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasitic protozoa. WHO
conducts repeated epidemiological studies in almost all the countries with the help
of the local government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and estimates
the risk factors, diseases, and organisms. The major waterborne enteric pathogens
consist of Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp., Shigella
sp., Enterobacter sp., and Vibrio sp., which are spread through the orofecal route,
mainly in regions where sanitation facilities and sewage disposal are poor. This also
leads to foodborne diseases through pathogenic bacterial species of Campylobacter,
Salmonella, Arcobacter, Helicobacter, and Yersinia (Pandey et al. 2014; RamirezCastillo 2015). Some of the most important waterborne pathogens identified in
WHO surveillance are listed in Table 1.1.
1.3.2 Major Bacterial Pathogens
Escherichia coli It is one of the major microorganisms found in the gut region of
almost all warm-blooded animals causing no harm in normal conditions. However,
strains like “verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC), Shiga toxin-producing E. coli
(STEC), or enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC)” are the pathogens that lead to severe
diarrhea and they are released into the water bodies through feces. Transmission
through contact and water is well established and recorded in many articles (FalupPecurariu et al. 2019; Pires et al. 2019).
Salmonella Salmonella generally does not multiply in the environment but they can
survive in different environmental conditions. Salmonella infection (salmonellosis)
is a general bacterial disease that affects the human gastrointestinal tract. These
bacteria colonize animal and human guts and are shed through feces to the environment. They are generally transmitted through contaminated water and food. The
other severe forms of Salmonella infections are typhoid (enteric fever) and paratyphoid (Mu et al. 2019; Zha et al. 2019).
Yersinia enterocolitica It is another pathogenic bacterium affecting humans
through water contaminated with swine manure. Both Salmonella and Yersinia are
4
S. Rath