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Surveillance for Waterborne Disease Outbreaks Associated with Drinking Water — United States 2011-2012
Citation:
Beer, K., J. Gargano, V. Roberts, V. Hill, L. Garrison, P. Kutty, E Hilborn, Tim Wade, K. Fullerton, AND J. Yoder. Surveillance for Waterborne Disease Outbreaks Associated with Drinking Water — United States 2011-2012. MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC, 64(31):842-848, (2015).
Impact/Purpose:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collects voluntary reports from US states and territories of waterborne disease outbreaks via the National Outbreak Reporting System. This report describes drinking water and non-recreational waterborne outbreaks that occurred during 2011 - 2012. During 2011–2012, 34 drinking water-associated outbreaks were reported, with at least 444 cases of illness, 109 hospitalizations, and 15 deaths. Legionella accounted for 68% of outbreaks and 28% of illnesses, while viruses and non-Legionella bacteria together accounted for 15% of outbreaks and 51% of illnesses. Legionella continues to be the dominant etiology implicated in outbreaks of drinking water associated illness. This ongoing reporting of waterborne disease outbreaks is important for the program office to evaluate trends in drinking water associated illness over time.
Description:
Advances in water management and sanitation have reduced waterborne disease in the United States, although outbreaks continue to occur. Public health agencies in the U.S. states and territories* report information on waterborne disease outbreaks to the CDC Waterborne Disease and Outbreak Surveillance System.(http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/surveillance/index.html). For 2011–2012, 32 drinking water associated outbreaks were reported, accounting for at least 431 cases of illness, 102 hospitalizations, and 14 deaths. Legionella was responsible for 66% of outbreaks and 26% of illnesses, and viruses and non-Legionella bacteria together accounted for 16% of outbreaks and 53% of illnesses. The two most commonly identified deficiencies§ leading to drinking water-associated outbreaks were Legionella in building plumbing¶ systems (66%) and untreated ground water (13%). Continued vigilance by public health, regulatory, and industry professionals to identify and correct deficiencies associated with building plumbing systems and groundwater systems could prevent most reported outbreaks and illness associated with drinking water systems.
