An extensive gastroenteritis outbreak after drinking-water contamination by sewage effluent, Finland

作者：Laine J^*; Huovinen E; Virtanen M J; Snellman M; Lumio J; Ruutu P; Kujansuu E; Vuento R; Pitkanen T; Miettinen I; Herrala J; Lepisto O; Antonen J; Helenius J; Hanninen M L; Maunula L; Mustonen J; Kuusi M

来源：Epidemiology and Infection, 2011, 139(7): 1105-1113.

DOI：10.1017/S0950268810002141

• Gastroenteritis
• outbreak
• waterborne infections

An inappropriate cross-connection between sewage-and drinking-water pipelines contaminated tap water in a Finnish town, resulting in an extensive waterborne gastroenteritis outbreak in this developed country. According to a database and a line-list, altogether 1222 subjects sought medical care as a result of this exposure. Seven pathogens were found in patient samples of those who sought treatment. To establish the true disease burden from this exposure, we undertook a population-based questionnaire investigation with a control population, infrequently used to study waterborne outbreaks. The study covered three areas, contaminated and uncontaminated parts of the town and a control town. An estimated 8453 residents fell ill during the outbreak, the excess number of illnesses being 6501. Attack rates were 53% [95% confidence interval (CI) 49.5-56.4] in the contaminated area, 15.6% (95% CI 13.1-18.5) in the uncontaminated area and 6.5% (95% CI 4.8-8.8) in the control population. Using a control population allowed us to differentiate baseline morbidity from the observed morbidity caused by the water contamination, thus enabling a more accurate estimate of the disease burden of this outbreak.

• 出版日期2011-7