More than 10 studies found a link between cloudy water and acute gut illness
Giardia or Cryptosporidium parasites also cause vomiting, nausea and diarrhea
Floating, undissolved particles may protect parasites against disinfection
Cloudiness may also be evidence of water containing pathogen-rich sediment
More research is required to determine if cloudiness is influenced by weather
Cloudy drinking water could contain the norovirus, new research suggests.
More than 10 studies found a link between cloudy water and acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI), a study review found.
Aside from the norovirus, AGI-causing parasites include Giardia or Cryptosporidium, all of which can cause vomiting, nausea and diarrhea.
Water is cloudy due to floating material, which is thought to be undissolved particles. Such particles may protect pathogens against water disinfection processes.
Cloudiness may also be evidence of pathogen-containing sediment.
COULD WALNUTS AND OLIVE OIL PREVENT FOOD POISONING? OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS ‘SWITCH OFF’ LISTERIA
Walnuts, olive oil and salmon could prevent potentially life-threatening food poisoning by ‘switching off’ genes for the listeria bacteria, research revealed in May.
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in the aforementioned foods, reduce the bacteria’s ability to cause infection by ‘switching off’ its genes, a study found.
Not killing the bacteria may be beneficial, as they only develop resistance when their growth is threatened, the researchers said.
Study author Professor Birgitte Kallipolitis, from the University of Southern Denmark, said: ‘It’s interesting that naturally occurring, completely harmless and actually healthy fatty acids can be used to suppress dangerous bacteria such as listeria.
‘The long-term perspective is that it may prove possible to develop new treatment methods – not only against listeria, but also against other dangerous bacteria that are currently resistant to antibiotics.’
Link between cloudy water and gut illness
Researchers from Drexel University in Philadelphia analyzed studies conducted in cities across North America and Europe.
These trials investigated the link between contamination prior to the water entering the cities’ distribution systems and the number of people contracting a AGI every day.
Results reveal more than 10 studies show a link between cloudy water and the development of a AGI.
Floating material may protect pathogens from disinfectants
Study author Dr Anneclaire De Roos said: ‘These results suggest that exposures through drinking water caused a low but detectable number of AGI cases in the regions and time periods studied.’
AGI can be caused by the norovirus, or parasites such as Giardia or Cryptosporidium, all of which can cause vomiting, nausea and diarrhea.
Water is cloudy due to floating material, which is thought to be undissolved particles.
Such particles may protect pathogens against water disinfection processes.
Cloudiness may also be evidence of pathogen-containing sediment.
The researchers add that further investigation is required.
Dr De Roos said: ‘Is the association with AGI restricted to a certain season or certain climatic conditions, such as periods of heavy rainfall?
‘Furthermore, does the association disappear if a different treatment method is used – like UV disinfection versus chlorination alone?’
Source: Daily Mail
