Microbial Waterborne Pathogens

In the developed world, the connection between water, hygiene and health is taken for granted. However, for the less fortunate majority, access to potable water is non-existent and remains a daily struggle. Bacteria, viruses and parasites in contaminated water cause water borne disease. Of concern are the so-called new emerging pathogens, contributing to water borne disease, one of the biggest human tragedies, killing more than 5 million people each year. About 2.3 billion people suffer from diseases linked to contaminated water and some 6,000 people die daily as a result of this. Some 60 per cent of all infant mortality worldwide is linked to water-related infectious and parasitic diseases. Treating water before use can eliminate most of these waterborne pathogens. The essential starting point is knowledge of the disease-causing organisms, the detection techniques, and the epidemiology, which is the focus of this book. This book for the first time gives a review of emerging waterborne microbial pathogens and their detection techniques. It also includes the traditional waterborne microbial pathogens. The purpose of Microbial Waterborne Pathogens is to give students, academics and p