The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released findings from an E. coli outbreak, which occurred last summer at a Wyoming youth camp. This report identifies Norovirus and Campylobacter species as the etiologic agents. The first campers to experience illness were children who attended camp during the week of June 25--July 1, 2006 with the first laboratory-confirmed case of Norovirus on July 1, 2006.

A total of 141 (67.1%) cases were identified among the 210 interviewed campers. Diarrhea was reported by 102 (72.3%) persons, vomiting by 92 (65.2%), and stomach cramps by 89 (63.1%). The camp voluntarily closed on July 19 as recommended by the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) until improvements in the camp's water and septic systems could be implemented.

Investigators of the outbreak believed that the large number of camp attendees overburdened the septic system and created a heavy demand for water from the wells, reducing the groundwater level and allowing septic system effluent to contaminate the water that replenished the wells. The shallowness of the wells and their proximity to the septic tank, combined with the camp's location in a mountainous area with fractured rock aquifers and little topsoil, also might have facilitated contamination by allowing septic tank effluent to percolate to the wells through fissures in the underlying rock formations.

An ongoing drought in the area was also deemed a contributing factor allowing changes in groundwater levels, facilitating contamination. In such instances alternative waste water treatment methods might be necessary where geologic conditions warrant. Officials suggest that before sending their children to a summer camp, parents should inquire about recent water-quality testing in the camp, particularly if it is located in a rural area where similar systems are more likely to be encountered.

To read the complete CDC report, please go to:
Wyoming Summer E. Coli Outbreak

Dire humanitarian conditions in the Somali capital of Mogadishu have worsened as a result of an outbreak of cholera and acute watery diarrhea, based on reports compiled by medical sources in the African nation affiliated with the United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU). Homeless camps in the capital were suffering the worst due to overcrowding and lack of proper sanitation facilities.

The crisis has been exacerbated by the hundreds of returning Somali residents who had been driven from their homes by extended fighting. Hundreds of thousands of civilians have been displaced in recent months due to heavy fighting in the city. Reports indicate that most of the patients are being cared for under trees and diseases are likely to spread. Although the mortality rate remains low, with only 15 deaths since the outbreak in March, health officials have expressed concern about the potential for rapidly escalating death rates.

Cholera is an acute, diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Approximately one in 20 infected persons has severe disease characterized by profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, and leg cramps. In these persons, rapid loss of body fluids leads to dehydration and shock. Without treatment, death can occur within hours.

A new technology developed at the University of Arizona (UA) may be able to produce test results for E. coli and other pathogens in 10 minutes rather than the hours or days current detection devices offer. The new testing methods could prevent widespread illness and even death by quickly detecting microscopic pathogens in food and water.

Traditional culture based testing can often take 24 to 48 hours for results. A second type of test, the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), takes six hours and also requires lab facilities. The new testing can be completed in 10 minutes from start to results, meaning that contaminated food can be identified before it is made available to the public, reducing illness and death. Researchers report the test kit is 99 percent accurate, and has shown no problems with false-positive tests.

Before the test kit can be brought to market it must meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency compliance tests. A number of labs have already indicated interest in purchasing the Innovis testing kit, according to media reports. The technology has been patented and Innovis is a business created by students in the McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship at UA's Eller College of Management.

For additional information on this technology, please go to:
UA_effort_may_lead_to_safer_food_water

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are gearing up to help water utility managers across the nation celebrate Drinking Water Week 2007, set for May 6-12. Drinking Water Week has been celebrated for more than 30 years. The EPA is serving as a campaign co-sponsor.

The theme of this year's event is "Only Tap Water Delivers." Drinking Water Week is designed to recognize the value of a safe, reliable community water supply, according to the AWWA. This year the campaign is designed to provide utilities with tools to help them communicate with consumers and decision-makers about the value of water service as well as encourage and equip public officials to speak about the importance of investing in water service and resources, according to the AWWA.

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