A large outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in western Ireland linked to public water supply: a preliminary report

Pelly, H.; Cormican, Martin; O’Donovan, Diarmuid; Rm, Chalmers; Hanahoe, Belinda; Cloughley, Richard; McKeown, Paul; Corbett-Feeney, G.

doi:10.2807/esw.12.18.03187-en

Cited by 18 publications

(20 citation statements)

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“…For the wider community, the provision of efficiently and safely treated effluents and the subsequent stabilization of sewage sludge into pathogen-free biosolids is an important public health issue in Ireland and other countries. This is because both cryptosporidiosis outbreaks (Pelly et al 2007) and enteric pathogen surveys (Lucy et al 2008) have revealed Cryptosporidium contamination in the aquatic environment in Ireland (Skerrett and Holland 2000), in watersheds where land-spreading and wastewater discharge occurs (Council of the European Community, CEC, 1986, Council of the European Community, CEC, 1991). This presents a risk factor when these waters are used for drinking water abstraction or for recreational activities (Dorn et al 1985, Ingallinella et al 2002.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The European Union (EU) urban wastewater directive aims to protect the environment from the adverse effects of wastewater discharges; however, unfortunately, the relevant effluent quality requirements do not legislate for the presence of pathogens (Council of the European Community, CEC, 1986). Implementation of sewage sludge management has been introduced and implemented in the EU legislation (Council of the European Community, CEC, 1991) but research is needed into the safe practice of sewage sludge storage, treatment, and land-spreading to prevent contamination of watercourses, which can result in further epidemics (Pelly et al 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Historically, the treatment efficiency and management of sewage sludge end-products in Ireland has not been well-documented. Since the outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis in Galway, Ireland, in 2005(Pelly et al 2007, public awareness related to biosolid management has dramatically increased.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fate of Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis oocysts and Giardia duodenalis cysts during secondary wastewater treatments

et al. 2009

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This study investigates the fate of Cryptosporidium parvum and C. hominis oocysts and Giardia duodenalis cysts at four Irish municipal wastewater treatment plants (i.e., Plant A, B, C, and D) that utilize sludge activation or biofilm-coated percolating filter systems for secondary wastewater treatment. The fate of these pathogens through the sewage treatment processes was determined based on their viable transmissive stages, i.e., oocysts for Cryptosporidium and cysts for Giardia. Analysis of final effluent indicated that over 97% of viable oocysts and cysts were eliminated, except at Plant C, which achieved only 64% of oocyst removal. A significant correlation between the removal of oocysts and cysts was found at Plants A, B, and D (R = 0.98, P < 0.05). All sewage sludge samples were positive for C. parvum and C. hominis, and G. duodenalis, with maximum concentrations of 20 oocysts and eight cysts per gram in primary sludge indicating the need for further sludge sanitization treatments. This study provides evidence that C. parvum and C. hominis oocysts and G. duodenalis cysts are present throughout the wastewater processes and in end-products, and can enter the aquatic environment with consequent negative implications for public health.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fate of Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis oocysts and Giardia duodenalis cysts during secondary wastewater treatments

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“…Since 2004, several epidemics have been recorded in Ireland including a massive outbreak in Galway in 2007, with 182 clinically confirmed cases linked to drinking water; preliminary research indicated that both human sewage and animal wastes factored in the water contamination (Pelly et al 2007). Drinking-water outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis have been associated with heavy rainfall and flooding (Beach 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomonitoring of surface and coastal water for Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and human-virulent microsporidia using molluscan shellfish

et al. 2008

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Surface inland and coastal waters in Ireland were surveyed for the human waterborne enteropathogens; Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia lamblia, Encephalitozoon intestinalis, Encephalitozoon hellem, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi by utilizing bivalve mussel species, i.e., Mytilus edulis (blue mussel), Anodonta anatina (duck 'mussel', actually a unionid clam), and the invasive Dreissena polymorpha (zebra mussel) as biomonitors at twelve sites located in three Irish river-basin districts with various water-quality pressures. Biomolecular techniques were utilized to assess the presence and concentration of these pathogens. At least one pathogen species was detected in shellfish at each site. Cryptosporidium, implicated in several recent Irish gastrointestinal epidemics, was recorded at all sites subjected to agricultural runoff and at one sewage discharge site, linking source-track directly to human and animal fecal wastes. G. lamblia was present at eleven of the twelve sites in a range of concentrations. A coastal bay with raw urban sewage discharge was 100% positive for all analyzed enteropathogens. Overall, the results demonstrate long-term human enteropathogen contamination of Irish waters with consequent public-health risk factors for drinking-water abstraction and water-based activities.

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“…On the 1 st January 2004, a new list of notifiable infectious diseases came into place [24] when cryptosporidiosis became a notifiable disease in all age groups and a requirement was introduced for confirmed cases to be reported. There was also an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in Galway city in March 2007 which accounts for the notable increase in cases in that year [25]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporal and spatial distribution of human cryptosporidiosis in the west of Ireland 2004-2007

et al. 2009

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BackgroundCryptosporidiosis is increasingly recognised as a cause of gastrointestinal infection in Ireland and has been implicated in several outbreaks. This study aimed to investigate the spatial and temporal distribution of human cryptosporidiosis in the west of Ireland in order to identify high risk seasons and areas and to compare Classically Calculated (CC) and Empirical Bayesian (EB) incidence rates. Two spatial scales of analysis were used with a view to identifying the best one in assessing geographical patterns of infection. Global Moran's I and Local Moran's I tests of autocorrelation were used to test for evidence of global and local spatial clustering.ResultsThere were statistically significant seasonal patterns of cryptosporidiosis with peaks in spring and an increasing temporal trend. Significant (p < 0.05) global spatial clustering was observed in CC rates at the Electoral Division (ED) level but not in EB rates at the same level. Despite variations in disease, ED level was found to provide the most accurate account of distribution of cryptosporidiosis in the West of Ireland but required spatial EB smoothing of cases. There were a number of areas identified with significant local clustering of cryptosporidiosis rates.ConclusionThis study identified spatial and temporal patterns in cryptosporidiosis distribution. The study also showed benefit in performing spatial analyses at more than one spatial scale to assess geographical patterns in disease distribution and that smoothing of disease rates for mapping in small areas enhances visualisation of spatial patterns. These findings are relevant in guiding policy decisions on disease control strategies.

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A large outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in western Ireland linked to public water supply: a preliminary report

Abstract: In mid-February 2007, there was a small rise in the number of laboratory-notified cases of cryptosporidiosis in the city and county of Galway, Ireland in comparison to February 2006.

Cited by 18 publications

References 0 publications

Fate of Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis oocysts and Giardia duodenalis cysts during secondary wastewater treatments

Fate of Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis oocysts and Giardia duodenalis cysts during secondary wastewater treatments

Biomonitoring of surface and coastal water for Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and human-virulent microsporidia using molluscan shellfish

Temporal and spatial distribution of human cryptosporidiosis in the west of Ireland 2004-2007

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