Index >> Water Pollution Microbiology >>Infectious Hepatitis

Infectious Hepatitis - Hepatitis A virus that causes infectious hepatitis is the only documented waterborne viral pathogen.
It was the first viral disease in which water was shown to be the occasional vehicle.
It is transmitted through drinking water supplies or shellfish beds contaminated by faeces from infected persons.
The disease is characterized by a yellow jaundice of the skin caused by an enlarged liver, vomiting and abdominal pain.
The virus is excreted in faeces and urine during and after the active phase of the disease.
Control of the disease depends upon the adequate treatment of sewage and water, although viruses are more resistant to chlorination than bacteria.
Outbreaks may be due to inadequate chlorination of domestic water supplies