Full Description

In July, 1998, a raw sewage spill contaminated Brushy Creek in Williamson County, Texas. The sewage flowed through underground fissures in the creek bed and into the aquifer near five municipal utility district wells serving an unincorporated community. From July 16 through August 1 we estimate that approximately 1,300-1,500 community residents became ill. Ova and parasite examinations detected Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in 89 of 164 (54%) stool specimens and C.parvum oocysts were also detected in water analysis conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. This outbreak is important because the drinking water source that became contaminated following the sewage spill was not surface water, but underground wells with well shafts, that were more than 100 feet deep, cased in cement, and located more than 1/4 mile distant from the creek bed. This outbreak demonstrates that even groundwater sources that are usually not directly influenced by surface water may become so under extreme conditions. Under such conditions, wells that are treated following state and federal guidelines may still become contaminated with C. parvum oocysts, leanding to community-wide outbreaks with significant patient morbidity, community disruption, and economic impact. Includes 18 references, figures.

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Edition: Vol. - No. Published: 08/29/1999File Size: 1 file , 73 KB