Seasonal Patterns of Gastrointestinal Illness and Streamflow along the Ohio River

Jyotsna S. Jagai, Jeffrey K. Griffiths, Paul K. Kirshen, Patrick Webb and Elena N. Naumova
Additional contact information
Jyotsna S. Jagai: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
Jeffrey K. Griffiths: Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
Paul K. Kirshen: Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
Patrick Webb: Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA
Elena N. Naumova: Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA

IJERPH, 2012, vol. 9, issue 5, 1-20

Abstract: Waterborne gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses demonstrate seasonal increases associated with water quality and meteorological characteristics. However, few studies have been conducted on the association of hydrological parameters, such as streamflow, and seasonality of GI illnesses. Streamflow is correlated with biological contamination and can be used as proxy for drinking water contamination. We compare seasonal patterns of GI illnesses in the elderly (65 years and older) along the Ohio River for a 14-year period (1991–2004) to seasonal patterns of streamflow. Focusing on six counties in close proximity to the river, we compiled weekly time series of hospitalizations for GI illnesses and streamflow data. Seasonal patterns were explored using Poisson annual harmonic regression with and without adjustment for streamflow. GI illnesses demonstrated significant seasonal patterns with peak timing preceding peak timing of streamflow for all six counties. Seasonal patterns of illness remain consistent after adjusting for streamflow. This study found that the time of peak GI illness precedes the peak of streamflow, suggesting either an indirect relationship or a more direct path whereby pathogens enter water supplies prior to the peak in streamflow. Such findings call for interdisciplinary research to better understand associations among streamflow, pathogen loading, and rates of gastrointestinal illnesses.

Keywords: drinking water quality; gastrointestinal infections; hydrology; pathogens; seasonality; streamflow (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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