Searching for a water supply connection in the Cabool, Missouri disease outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7

A recent disease outbreak resulting in 4 deaths, 32 hospitalizations and a total of 243 documented cases of diarrhea was linked epidemiologically and by on-site data gathering supported by the use of a distribution system model to the public water supply. The pathogenic agent, Escherichia coli serot...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water research (Oxford) 1992-08, Vol.26 (8), p.1127-1137
Main Authors: Geldreich, EE, Fox, K R, Goodrich, JA, Rice, E W, Clark, R M, Swerdlow, D L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Escherichia coli
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Summary:A recent disease outbreak resulting in 4 deaths, 32 hospitalizations and a total of 243 documented cases of diarrhea was linked epidemiologically and by on-site data gathering supported by the use of a distribution system model to the public water supply. The pathogenic agent, Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7, was isolated from patients' feces in tests conducted by the Centers for Disease Control. Illness was restricted to people using public water supply. Untreated groundwater quality was not a factor but some disturbances in the distribution system, possibly 43 water meter replacements and 2 lines breaks, may have allowed contaminants to enter the water supply. This is the first time a distribution system model has been used to show that the pattern of illness occurrences in a waterborne outbreak study could be related to water movement patterns in the distribution network.
ISSN:0043-1354
DOI:10.1016/0043-1354(92)90150-3