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Drinking contaminated water can cause these diseases

Drinking unclean or contaminated water is the major cause of several waterborne diseases. Here are the common ones -

Written by Longjam Dineshwori | Updated : March 27, 2020 9:26 AM IST

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Water

Human activities have polluted almost all water bodies - rivers, ponds, lakes, oceans and even ground water - today. According to WHO, contaminated drinking water is responsible for 485 000 diarrhoeal deaths each year. The organisation fear that by 2025, half of the world's population will be living in water-stressed areas. The Global Oceanic Environmental Survey (GOES) also consider water pollution as one of the main environmental problems that can present a danger for the existence of life on earth. Drinking unclean or contaminated water is the major cause of several waterborne diseases. Consuming clean water is the best way to prevent these diseases. So, whether you get water from the river, groundwater or any other sources, ensure that the water is purified before consumption. Below are some of the common waterborne diseases that you should be aware of:

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Cholera

Cholera: It is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae found in contaminated water. It is transmitted to humans through consumption of water or food that has been contaminated with human faeces.

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Viral-fever

Typhoid fever: It is an illness caused by a bacterium called Salmonella typhi. It is transmitted through consumption contaminated food or water.

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Malaria

Malaria: It is caused by female mosquitoes that breed in polluted water. Symptoms of malaria include fever, headache, and shivering. In worse cases, malaria can lead to complications like pneumonia, severe anaemia, coma, and death. Also Read - Disease X Virus: WHO Chief Warns For Disease X