What You Should Know About Waterborne Pathogens
The video emphasizes the significance of various types of waterborne pathogen, which encompass a spectrum of microorganisms – bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasitic worms. Biological typology is employed to categorize these pathogens effectively.
Protozoa, such as Entamoeba histolytica and cryptosporidium parvum, are notable for causing severe diarrhea and acting as parasites. Entamoeba histolytica is known for amoebic dysentery, while cryptosporidium parvum’s resistance to chlorine disinfection raises concerns.
Bacteria, widespread in nature, can sometimes trigger waterborne diseases, even though most are harmless. Viruses are also implicated in the transmission of such diseases. Parasitic worms, or helminths, although rarely found in drinking water, can still pose a threat through food contamination.
The video delves into specific waterborne diseases like cholera, and various viruses (rotaviruses, hepatitis A and E, and polio), offering insights into their transmission, symptoms, and prevalence in terms of cases and fatalities. Preventive measures such as sanitation and awareness campaigns are discussed.
Visual aids are employed to illustrate the sizes of these pathogens and elucidate the transmission routes of certain helminth infections.
Further, the video explores four primary categories of waterborne pathogens. Helminths, including Dracunculus responsible for Guinea Worm disease, are transmitted through large cysts approximately one millimeter in diameter. Protozoa encompass Entamoeba, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia, with sizes ranging from ten to fifty microns and the ability to form highly resilient cysts. Bacteria, like E. coli, Shigella, and Vibrio Cholera, measure one to three microns and can lead to severe diarrhea. Viruses, including Rotavirus, Hepatitis, and Polio virus, are the smallest, with sizes smaller than a micron, measuring as little as thirty nanometers.
This comprehensive overview underscores the diversity of waterborne pathogens, their characteristics, and the potential risks they pose.
