Recognizing Waterborne
Disease and the Health Effects
of Water Pollution
A Physician On-Line Reference Guide
www.waterhealthconnection.org
Contamination of water reserves by either chemical
agents or infectious pathogens may affect the health of
millions of residents in the United States. Water con-
sumers are frequently unaware of the potential health
risks associated with exposure to waterborne contami-
nants and often consult practicing physicians who are
unfamiliar with water pollution issues and their subse-
quent impact on human health. Misdiagnosis and under-
diagnosis of waterborne disease by the medical com-
munity may result in significant morbidity and mortality,
particularly in vulnerable populations at increased risk of
disease as a result of exposure to waterborne path-
ogens and chemical contaminants.
A new medical website has been launched to assist
healthcare providers and public health personnel recog-
nize and manage waterborne disease and the health
effects of water pollution resulting from either natural
OR intentional contamination of water. A free web
based resource, Recognizing Waterborne Disease
and the Health Effects of Water Pollution: A
Physician On-Line Reference Guide is currently avail-
able at www.WaterHealthConnection.org. Unique fea-
tures of this medical website include:
• “24/7” availability with free access to more than 800
web pages of comprehensive information
• Clinically relevant information detailing the diagnosis
and management of waterborne disease from micro-
bial and/or chemical contamination
• Repository of physician anti-terrorism preparedness
and readiness resources including new section —
Physician Preparedness for Acts of Water
Terrorism
• Special risk communication and patient risk evaluation
guidelines for both healthy and susceptible popula-
tions regarding waterborne disease
• “Ease of use” technology tools and website support
for busy physician users
• Targeted search engines providing quick and easy
access to more than 200 websites covering a diverse
arra