Last year in Montana, 19 people contracted diarrhea after drinking untreated water. Many believed it to be natural spring water, but it was actually the runoff of a pathogen-filled stream.
One person was hospitalized in the outbreak, which only ended after authorities diverted water sources. Local health officials reported Thursday in Morbidity and Morality Weekly.
The outbreak follows a trend of so-called “raw water” drinking that occurred in the United States several years ago. It is untreated, unfiltered water collected directly from freshwater sources and is often claimed to have health benefits without evidence.
Proponents have argued that raw water avoids unwanted constituents of municipal water, identified as disinfectants, fluoride, fictitious “mind-control” drugs, trace amounts of pharmaceuticals, and heavy metals such as lead from pipes. They also suggest, without evidence, that raw water may contain its own probiotics and other “natural” minerals and compounds that can improve health.
Health officials say untreated and unfiltered water poses a clear health risk, given the potential for pathogenic bacteria, viruses, parasites, and naturally occurring contaminants such as radionuclides and mineral deposits. It is pointed out that
In the case of the Montana pandemic, the contaminants were Campylobacter jejuni, pathogenic bacteria that can be spread from carrier animals such as birds. in humans, Campylobacter The bacteria often cause bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting.
pandora’s watery box
In May 2022, northwestern Saunders County health officials announced that: Campylobacter We reported the incident to state officials, raising immediate concern and spurring an investigation. The average number of cases per year is only 5. His first six of these cases all reported drinking water from the same source, which many community members believed to be a natural spring.
But it wasn’t. It was a concrete box that fed water from a creek near Paradise, Montana. The concrete box was located on the railroad premises near the tracks. Local officials report that it was likely built in the early 1900s to keep streams from eroding the track bed. In addition, when authorities examined the box, they found an empty bird’s nest inside. CampylobacterDuring further investigation, health officials confirmed Campylobacter Bacteria were present in the water poured from the box, and whole-genome sequencing showed that the bacteria contaminating the water closely matched those of the sick person.
Six weeks after the first case report, there were 13 more cases despite signs around the box indicating that the water was not safe to drink. On June 28, the Montana Department of Transportation permanently cut off the water source by rerouting the stream to keep it underground. No other cases have been confirmed since then.
“People who drink water from outdoor sources such as streams, rivers and streams should always treat their water before drinking,” health officials concluded. But treatments, including filtration, also reduce the risk of disease from drinking water from outdoor sources.”
