What is an example of a waterborne disease?

Typhoid fever is an excellent example of a waterborne disease, as it is primarily transmitted through the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected person. The causative agent of typhoid fever is the bacterium Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi. Outbreaks commonly occur in areas with inadequate sanitation and poor water treatment facilities.

While cholera, hepatitis A, and giardiasis are also waterborne diseases, typhoid fever is specifically linked to contaminated water sources due to its transmission route. Cholera is caused by Vibrio cholerae and is also transmitted through contaminated water but has different epidemiological patterns. Hepatitis A, caused by the hepatitis A virus, can also be transmitted by contaminated water but primarily spreads through person-to-person contact as well. Giardiasis, caused by the parasite Giardia lamblia, is typically contracted from contaminated water, especially from untreated sources, so it falls into the waterborne category too. What distinguishes typhoid fever in this context is its direct association with chronic carriers who can contaminate water supplies, making it a significant public health concern in environments with poor hygiene and sanitation practices.