Increase in VTEC cases in the south of Ireland: link to private wells?

O’Sullivan, Mary; Garvey, Patricia; O'Riordan, M.C.; Coughlan, Helen; McKeown, Paul; Brennan, Aline; McNamara, Eleanor

doi:10.2807/ese.13.39.18991-en

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…The highest number of waterborne outbreaks notified was in 2012. Clustering of waterborne incidents in 2008 coincided with a period of exceptionally high rainfall [15]. Also of note were four community waterborne VTEC outbreaks in HSE-M during the summers of 2011 and 2012 [16].…”

Section: Waterborne (±P-p) Outbreaksmentioning

confidence: 99%

VerotoxigenicEscherichia colitransmission in Ireland: a review of notified outbreaks, 2004–2012

et al. 2015

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Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) are significant for their low infectious dose, their potential clinical severity and the frequency with which they generate outbreaks. To describe the relative importance of different outbreak transmission routes for VTEC infection in Ireland, we reviewed outbreak notification data for the period 2004-2012, describing the burden and characteristics of foodborne, waterborne, animal contact and person-to-person outbreaks. Outbreaks where person-to-person spread was reported as the sole transmission route accounted for more than half of all outbreaks and outbreaks cases, most notably in childcare facilities. The next most significant transmission route was waterborne spread from untreated or poorly treated private water supplies. The focus for reducing incidence of VTEC should be on reducing waterborne and person-to-person transmission, by publicizing Health Service Executive materials developed for consumers on private well management, and for childcare facility managers and public health professionals on prevention of person-to-person spread.

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Section: Waterborne (±P-p) Outbreaksmentioning

confidence: 99%

VerotoxigenicEscherichia colitransmission in Ireland: a review of notified outbreaks, 2004–2012

et al. 2015

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“…Escherichia coli were the most commonly isolated bacteria followed by Campylobacter jejuni and Shigella sonnei [ 19 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Because of heavy rainfall in the days preceding the outbreak, feces from cattle found grazing upstream and potentially contaminated by E. coli O157 infiltrated the stream, thereby causing the outbreak [ 63 ]. Extremely heavy summer rainfall in the Republic of Ireland resulted in high water table levels, intense run-off, and widespread flooding that significantly increased the potential for microbiological contamination of drinking water [ 64 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infectious Diseases Associated with Hydrometeorological Hazards in Europe: Disaster Risk Reduction in the Context of the Climate Crisis and the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic

Mavrouli

Mavroulis

Lekkas

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Hydrometeorological hazards comprise a wide range of events, mainly floods, storms, droughts, and temperature extremes. Floods account for the majority of the related disasters in both developed and developing countries. Flooding alters the natural balance of the environment and frequently establish a favorable habitat for pathogens and vectors to thrive. Diseases caused by pathogens that require vehicle transmission from host to host (waterborne) or a host/vector as part of their life cycle (vector-borne) are those most likely to be affected by flooding. Considering the most notable recent destructive floods events of July 2021 that affected several Central Europe countries, we conducted a systematic literature review in order to identify documented sporadic cases and outbreaks of infectious diseases in humans in Europe, where hydrometeorological hazards, mainly floods, were thought to have been involved. The occurrence of water-, rodent-, and vector-borne diseases in several European countries is highlighted, as flooding and the harsh post-flood conditions favor their emergence and transmission. In this context, strategies for prevention and management of infectious disease outbreaks in flood-prone and flood-affected areas are also proposed and comprise pre- and post-flood prevention measures, pre- and post-outbreak prevention measures, as well as mitigation actions when an infectious disease outbreak finally occurs. Emphasis is also placed on the collision of floods, flood-related infectious disease outbreaks, and the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, which may result in unprecedented multi-hazard conditions and requires a multi-hazard approach for the effective disaster management and risk reduction.

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“…For example, well water testing by private well users remains extremely limited [17,21], with a previous study identifying only a 10% annual testing rate among well users in Wisconsin [17,21] or the fact that testing only occurs when concerns for water quality arise [22,23]. The critical need for proper well stewardship increases after a natural disaster/emergency event, especially given that waterborne illnesses from contaminated well water continue to be observed due to unsafe drinking water [3,[24][25][26].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Texas Well User Stewardship Practices Three Years after Hurricane Harvey

Gitter,

Boellstorff,

Gholson

et al. 2023

Water

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Private wells are susceptible to contamination from flooding and are exempt from the federal requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Consequently, well users must manage (e.g., disinfect) and maintain (e.g., regularly test) their own wells to ensure safe drinking water. However, well user practices and perceptions of well water quality in the years following a natural disaster are poorly characterized. An online follow-up survey was administered in October 2020 to private well users who had previously experienced Hurricane Harvey in 2017. The survey was successfully sent to 436 participants, and 69 surveys were returned (15.8% return rate). The survey results indicate that well users who had previously experienced wellhead submersion or a positive bacteria test were more likely to implement well stewardship practices (testing and disinfection) and to report the feeling that their well water was safe. While the majority of well users believed that their water was safe (77.6%), there was a significant decrease in well water being used for drinking, cooking, and for their pets after Hurricane Harvey. Generally, these well users tend to maintain their wells at higher rates than those reported in other communities, but there continues to be a critical need to provide outreach regarding well maintenance practices, especially before natural disaster events occur.

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Increase in VTEC cases in the south of Ireland: link to private wells?

Cited by 8 publications

References 1 publication

VerotoxigenicEscherichia colitransmission in Ireland: a review of notified outbreaks, 2004–2012

VerotoxigenicEscherichia colitransmission in Ireland: a review of notified outbreaks, 2004–2012

Infectious Diseases Associated with Hydrometeorological Hazards in Europe: Disaster Risk Reduction in the Context of the Climate Crisis and the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic

Texas Well User Stewardship Practices Three Years after Hurricane Harvey

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