Bathing water quality: fact sheet 1.4, December 2009

Safe bathing water is an essential factor in public health. Poor-quality recreational water has been shown to be the cause of outbreaks of waterborne diseases involving many tourists as well as local people. The quality of bathing waters may be affected by inadequate sewage treatment and agricultural pollution, resulting in microbial and chemical contamination and eutrophication. There is considerable epidemiological evidence in the literature to suggest that contact with recreational waters is associated with illness, primarily gastrointestinal symptoms, although outbreak data also suggest that there is a risk of more serious illnesses. EU Member States have been successful in implementing the Bathing Water Quality Directive 76/160/EEC and maintaining high-quality bathing waters. The new Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC has set higher standards for the management of bathing waters.

Bathing water quality: fact sheet No. 1.4, May 2007

Safe bathing water is an essential factor in public health. Poor quality of recreational waters has been shown to be the cause of outbreaks of waterborne diseases involving many tourists as well as local people. The quality of bathing waters may be affected by inadequate sewage treatment and agricultural pollution, resulting in microbial and chemical contamination and eutrophication. There is considerable epidemiological evidence in the literature to suggest that contact with recreational waters is associated with illness, primarily gastrointestinal symptoms, although outbreak data also suggest that there is a risk from more serious illnesses. EU member states have been successful in implementing the Bathing Water Quality Directive 76/160/EEC and maintaining high quality bathing waters. The adoption of a new Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC in 2006 introduced new principles for the management of bathing waters. Member states now face the challenge of meeting the new requirements.

Management of source and drinking-water quality in Pakistan

Drinking-water quality in both urban and rural areas of Pakistan is not being managed properly. Results of various investigations provide evidence that most of the drinking-water supplies are faecally contaminated. At places groundwater quality is deteriorating due to the naturally occurring subsoil contaminants or to anthropogenic activities. The poor bacteriological quality of drinking-water has frequently resulted in high incidence of waterborne diseases while subsoil contaminants have caused other ailments to consumers. This paper presents a detailed review of drinking-water quality in the country and the consequent health impacts. It identifies various factors contributing to poor water quality and proposes key actions required to ensure safe drinking-water supplies to consumers

GIS-based prediction of malaria risk in Egypt

Environmental variables in a malaria geographic information system [GIS] database were analysed to discriminate between governorates at high and low risk of malaria. Only Fayoum governorate was categorized as a high risk area for malaria during the last 2 decades. Discriminant models correctly classified 96.3% of the risk categories and indicated that the most important predictor of risk is hydrogeology. Further GIS spatial analysis indicated that the high malaria risk in Fayoum is associated with a unique environmental envelope of biotic [presence of both efficient malaria vectors] and abiotic [hydrogeology and soil] variables. Recommendations for surveillance and control are discussed

Bioenvironmental and meteorological factors related to the persistence of malaria in Fayoum Governorate: a retrospective study

The present study was conducted to determine the magnitude of the malaria problem in Fayoum Governorate and to ascertain the determinant factors behind its persistence in this area. Malaria records in Fayoum Governorate for the period 1971-1999 were reviewed retrospectively. The data show that no Plasmodium vivax cases were recorded during 1997-1999 and prediction up till 2004 indicated no positive cases expected. No P. falciparum cases were detected in 1998 and 1999. The prediction trend for this species showed an apparent but not statistically significant decrease in the incidence. The factors responsible for the persistence of malaria in this governorate are discussed