Waterborne diseases
Under waterborne diseases or water-related diseases are understood in the global development arena transferred to the water-borne diseases. Most of these diseases are caused by enteric bacteria or by viruses from person to person via the faeces - are passed - in particular due to insufficiently treated wastewater. Another part of this disease is caused by fresh human parasites. Diseases caused by marine parasites of humans are not taken by this term, which is a (not quite accurate ) translation of the English expression "water - borne diseases ."
Especially at a high population density and lack of or inadequate sanitary facilities, it comes to the spread of pathogens. According to UN estimates die every year up to 5 million people caused by these pathogens diseases (or due to infestation by freshwater parasites). Alone in the African countries south of the Sahara cause water-borne diseases through absenteeism and rising health expenditure costs 28 billion U.S. dollars a year, or has given 5 percent of its economic power (which is more than these countries receive in development aid and debt relief in 2003).
The supply of the world's population with hygienic ( but also toxicologically ) safe water and access to appropriate sanitation systems, eg on Ecosan base, represents one of the greatest challenges facing humanity in the coming decades and is therefore as addressing the water crisis part of the so-called Millennium Development Goals of mankind.
In particular, the diseases listed in the table are associated with contaminated water:
Giardia intestinalis
For diseases that are transmitted by parasites, which are dependent on freshwater, see also freshwater parasites of man.