Water, Amoebiasis and Public Health

Human amoebiasis causes highest number of deaths due to any parasitic disease after malaria and schistosomiasis. Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar, the causative parasites, exist in two forms: the highly active and invasive trophozoites and the infective cysts. The disease is transmitted by faecal-oral rout, oral-rectal contamination and by the ingestion of infective cysts in drinking water and food etc. Metronidazole, the most commonly used drug for the treatment of symptomatic amoebiasis, is fraught with several problems including emergence of resistance by E. histolytica. The prevention of the disease through improved sanitation and drinking water quality are some of the most effective means to control the disease. Additionally, the role(s) of mothers, proper hand washing and maintenance of good personal hygiene are also important in the containment of the disease.