Prevalence of Cryptosporidium parvum in private drinking water cisterns in Bani-Kenanah district, northern Jordan.
Due to water scarcity in Jordan, the water authority only pump the water once or twice a week to the population. Thus people in rural areas, including the Bani-Kenanah district, make the most of their water resources by storing rainwater in private reservoirs for use during periods of water shortage. These reservoirs include; underground cisterns and concrete or metal tanks. The water collected in these reservoirs is at risk of contamination. During the period March-July 2002, the three types of reservoirs from 368 households were surveyed for presence of Escherichia coli and Cryptosporidium parvum, indicators of contamination. The cistern was the most contaminated reservoir with 17% (95% CI: 13,22) for E. coli (significant, P<0.05), and 2% (95% CI: 1,4) for C. parvum. Only 1% (95% CI: 1,6) of the metal reservoirs had E. coli, while concrete reservoirs were free. No C. parvum oocysts were detected in either the concrete or metal reservoirs. Reservoirs opening at floor level and the bucket kept outside the reservoir were significant (P<0.05) enhancing risk factors for contamination with C. parvum.
Abo-Shehada
Mahmoud
M
Parasitology Research Laboratory, Department of Basic Veterinary Medical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Jordan University of Science and Technology PO Box 3030 Irbid 22110 Jordan. mshehada@just.edu.jo
Hindyia
Mona
M
Saiah
Abbass
A
D000818:Animals; D016785:Cryptosporidium parvum / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004190:Disasters; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007597:Jordan; D012307:Risk Factors; D014881:Water Supply / Q000592:standards*