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Estimating the Risk of Acute Gastrointestinal Disease Attributed to E. coli O157:H7 in Irrigation Water and Agricultural Soil: A Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment

Author

Listed:
  • Chidozie Declan Iwu

    (SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa
    Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa)

  • Chinwe Juliana Iwu-Jaja

    (Division of Health Systems and Public Health, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa)

  • Anthony Ifeanyin Okoh

    (SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa
    Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa
    Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates)

  • Michael Ekubu Otim

    (Department of Health Sciences Administration, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates)

  • Amina M. Al Marzouqi

    (Department of Health Sciences Administration, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates)

Abstract

Introduction: The occurrence of E. coli O157:H7 in the agricultural environment poses a serious threat to public health. The primary aim was to estimate the probability of illness caused by E. coli O157:H7 in irrigation water and agricultural soil niches. Methods: The Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment was used and the risks were characterized using the Monte Carlo simulation with 10,000 iterations. Results: The mean levels of E. coli O157:H7 in the irrigation water and agricultural soil samples was 1.328 × 10 3 CFU/100 mL (Range: 0.00 to 13.000 × 10 3 CFU/100 mL) and 2.482 × 10 3 CFU/g (Range: 0.167 × 10 3 to 16.333 × 10 3 CFU/g), respectively. The risk of infection in humans exposed to this water and soil was 100%. In addition, a high risk of acute diarrheal disease was estimated at 25.0 × 10 −2 for humans exposed to contaminated water and/or soil. Summary: These results exceeded the WHO diarrheal disease risk standard of 1.0 × 10 −3 . These findings demonstrated a high probability of acute gastrointestinal disease among humans exposed to E. coli O157:H7 in irrigation water and agricultural soil samples collected from the study sites representing a huge public health threat.

Suggested Citation

  • Chidozie Declan Iwu & Chinwe Juliana Iwu-Jaja & Anthony Ifeanyin Okoh & Michael Ekubu Otim & Amina M. Al Marzouqi, 2022. "Estimating the Risk of Acute Gastrointestinal Disease Attributed to E. coli O157:H7 in Irrigation Water and Agricultural Soil: A Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:3:p:1878-:d:743553
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tilden Jr., J. & Young, W. & McNamara, A.-M. & Custer, C. & Boesel, B. & Lambert-Fair, M.A. & Majkowski, J. & Vugia, D. & Werner, S.B. & Hollingsworth, J. & Morris Jr., J.G., 1996. "A new route of transmission for Escherichia coli: Infection from dry fermented salami," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 86(8), pages 1142-1145.
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