The Illnesses Caused by Our Poor Environmental Sanitation

THE ILLNESSES CAUSED BY OUR POOR ENVIRONMENTAL
SANITATION
Common water and sanitation-related diseases
1. Diarrhea
Diarrhea is caused by a variety of micro-organisms including
viruses, bacteria and protozoans. Diarrhea causes a person to
lose both water and electrolytes,, which leads to dehydration and,
in some cases, to death.
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About 4 billion cases of diarrhea per year cause 1.8

million deaths, over 90 per cent of them (1.6
million) among children under five. Repeated
episodes of diarrheal disease makes children more
vulnerable to other diseases and malnutrition.
Diarrhoea is the most important public health
problem directly related to water and sanitation.
The simple act of washing hands with soap and
water can cut diarrhoeal disease by one-third. Next
to providing adequate sanitation facilities, it is the
key to preventing waterborne diseases.
2. Arsenicosis
Long-term exposure to low concentrations of

arsenic in drinking-water causes painful skin
keratosis (hardened lesions) and can result in
cancers of the skin, lungs, bladder and kidney.
Millions of people are potentially in danger from
arsenic poisoning since they rely on water supplies
that are contaminated with arsenic (mainly from
natural sources) and do not have a safe water
alternative or are unaware of the risks.
3. Cholera
Cholera is an acute bacterial infection of the intestinal
tract. It causes severe attacks of diarrhoea that, without
treatment, can quickly lead to acute dehydration and
death. Cholera is a world-wide problem, especially in
emergency situations. It can be prevented by access to
safe drinking water, sanitation and good hygiene
behaviour (including food hygiene). In 2002, over
120,000 cholera cases were reported worldwide.
4. Fluorosis
Fluorosis is a serious bone disease caused by high

concentrations of fluoride occurring naturally in
groundwater. Fluorosis is endemic in at least 25
countries across the globe. The total number of
people affected is not known, but a conservative
estimate would number in the tens of millions.
5. Guinea worm disease
People contract the disease (also known as

Dracunculiasis) when drinking water contaminated
with Dracunculus larvae. The larvae mature into
large (up to a metre long) adult Guinea worms and
leave the body after about a year, causing
debilitating ulcers.
The incidence of cases of Guinea worm disease is
steadily decreasing worldwide as a result of a
concerted international initiative. However, in 2002
there were still 50,000 cases reported in a total of
13 countries in Africa.
6. HIV/AIDS
A hygienic environment, clean water and adequate

sanitation are key factors in preventing opportunistic
infections associated with HIV/AIDS, and in the quality of
life of people living with the disease.
AIDS-affected people are more susceptible to water-
related diseases than healthy individuals, and they
become sicker from these infections than people with
healthy immune systems. Maintaining a healthy
environment is essential to safeguarding the health,
quality of life and productivity of people living with
HIV/AIDS.
7. Intestinal worms
People become infected with intestinal parasitic worms

(also know as helminths) through contact with soil that
has been contaminated with human faeces from an
infected person, or by eating contaminated food.
Intestinal worms infect about 10 per cent of the
population in the developing world and, depending upon
the severity of the infection, lead to malnutrition,
anaemia or retarded growth. Children are particularly
susceptible and typically have the largest number of
worms. About 400 million school-age children are
infected by roundworm, whipworm and/or hookworm. In
fact, roundworm and whipworm alone are estimated to
affect one-quarter of the world’s population.
8. Malaria
Malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasite carried

by certain types of mosquitoes. Humans are infected
when bitten by the mosquitoes. Each year, there are 300
million to 500 million cases of malaria throughout the
world and about 1 million child deaths. Reducing the
mosquito population in households and communities by
eliminating standing water (caused by poor drainage and
uncovered water tanks) can be an important factor in
reducing malaria cases.
9. Schistosomiasis
Schistosomiasis (also known as bilharzia) is a disease

caused by parasitic worms. At various stages of the life
cycle, worms and their eggs live in certain types of
freshwater snails, water (where they can survive for 48
hours) and human hosts. They penetrate the skin of
people swimming, bathing or washing in contaminated
water, They then cause infection and can eventually
damage the liver, intestines, lungs and bladder.
About 200 million people are infected with
schistosomiasis, 20 million of whom suffer severe
consequences. Studies have found that adequate water
supply and sanitation – which reduces contact with
contaminated surface water – could reduce infection
rates by 77 per cent.
10. Trachoma
Trachoma is an eye infection spread mainly through poor

hygiene caused by lack of adequate water supplies and
unsafe environmental sanitation conditions. About 6
million people are blind today because of trachoma. It
affects women two to three times more than men.
Children are also especially susceptible. Studies have
found that providing adequate water supplies could
reduce infection rates by 25 per cent.
11. Typhoid
Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection caused by ingesting

contaminated food or water. Symptoms are characterized
by headaches, nausea and loss of appetite. About 12
million people are affected by typhoid every year.

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THE ILLNESSES CAUSED BY OUR POOR ENVIRONMENTAL

Common water and sanitation-related diseases

About 4 billion cases of diarrhea per year cause 1.8

Long-term exposure to low concentrations of

Fluorosis is a serious bone disease caused by high

5. Guinea worm disease

People contract the disease (also known as

A hygienic environment, clean water and adequate

People become infected with intestinal parasitic worms

Malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasite carried

Schistosomiasis (also known as bilharzia) is a disease

Trachoma is an eye infection spread mainly through poor

Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection caused by ingesting

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