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Surveillance for Waterborne Disease Outbreaks and Other Health Events Associated with Recreational Water -United States, 2007-2008*
Citation:
Hlavsa, M. C., V. A. Roberts, A. R. Anderson, V. Hill, A. M. Kahler, M. Orr, L. Garrison, L. A. Hicks, A. Newton, E. D. HILBORN, T. J. WADE, M. J. Beach, AND J. S. Yoder. Surveillance for Waterborne Disease Outbreaks and Other Health Events Associated with Recreational Water -United States, 2007-2008*. MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC, 60(12):1-32, (2011).
Impact/Purpose:
Since 1978, CDC, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists have collaborated on the Waterborne Disease and Outbreak Surveillance System (WBDOSS) for collecting and reporting data on occurrences and causes of waterborne disease outbreaks associated with recreational water. This surveillance system is the primary source of data concerning the scope and health effects of waterborne disease outbreaks in the United States.
Description:
Problem/Condition: Since 1978, CDC, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists have collaborated on the Waterborne Disease and Outbreak Surveillance System (WBDOSS) for collecting and reporting data on occurrences and causes of waterborne disease outbreaks associated with recreational water. This surveillance system is the primary source of data concerning the scope and health effects of waterborne disease outbreaks in the United States. Additionally, data are collected on other select recreational water-associated health events, including pool chemical-associated health events and single cases of Vibrio wound infection and primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Reporting Period: Data presented summarize recreational water-associated outbreaks and other health events, all of which occurred during January 2007-December 2008. Previously unreported data on outbreaks that have occurred since 1978 are also presented in this report. Description of the System: The WBDOSS database includes data on outbreaks associated with recreational water, drinking water, water not intended for drinking (WNID) (excluding recreational water), and water use of unknown intent (WUI). Public health agencies in the states, District of Columbia, territories, and Freely Associated States are primarily responsible for detecting and investigating waterborne disease outbreaks and voluntarily reporting them to CDC using a standard form. Only data on outbreaks associated with recreational water are summarized in this report. Data on other recreational water-associated health events reported to CDC, ATSDR, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are also summarized in this report. Results: A total of 134 recreational water-associated outbreaks were reported by 38 states and one territory for 2007-2008. These outbreaks resulted in at least 13,966 cases. The median outbreak size was 11 cases (range: 2-5,697 cases). A total of 116 (86.6%) outbreaks were associated with treated recreational water (e.g., pools and interactive fountains) and resulted in 13,480 (96.5%) cases. Of the 134 outbreaks, 81 (60.4%) were outbreaks of acute gastrointestinal illness; 24 (17.9%) were outbreaks of dermatologic illness, conditions, or symptoms; and 17 (12.7%) were outbreaks of acute respiratory illness. Outbreaks of acute gastrointestinal illness resulted in 12,477 (89.3%) cases. authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
