Treatment of Water to Prevent Water-Associated Infectious Diseases

As contaminated water is increasingly associated with infectious diseases, the basic services like safe drinking water, hygiene, and sanitation need to be monitored regularly. With the accelerating scientific advancements, detection and enumeration of water-associated pathogens are possible during emergencies and outbreaks of infectious diseases. The best recommended tests for screening of water-associated pathogens are based on detection of the nucleic acid such as PCR, 16S rRNA, FISH, and DNA microarrays. Various methods are used to reduce the microbial burden of drinking water. A number of awareness programs on basic health facilities are necessary to educate the rural population of developed and developing countries. Drugs and vaccines are available for the treatment and prevention of water-related infectious pathogens.