What waterborne diseases can spread by pathogenic bacteria?

Study for the TCEQ On-Site Sewage Facilities (OSSF) Test. Learn with targeted flashcards and in-depth multiple-choice questions complete with hints and explanations. Start preparing today for a successful exam experience!

Pathogenic bacteria are known to cause several waterborne diseases, and typhoid, cholera, and dysentery are prime examples. These diseases arise primarily due to the ingestion of contaminated water that harbors these bacteria.

Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella typhi, which can survive in water contaminated with fecal matter. Cholera, caused by Vibrio cholerae, often occurs in environments where water sanitation is inadequate, leading to severe diarrhea and dehydration. Dysentery, frequently resulting from Shigella bacteria, is characterized by severe diarrhea and can arise through similar routes of contamination.

The other options do not consist of diseases primarily spread via waterborne bacteria. Influenza and pneumonia are respiratory diseases not transmitted through water, while malaria is a vector-borne disease spread by mosquitoes, and tuberculosis is a bacterial infection primarily transmitted through airborne particles. Hepatitis is predominantly transmitted through the fecal-oral route or through blood and bodily fluids, and measles is a viral infection spread through respiratory droplets. Thus, the diseases directly linked to pathogenic bacteria and their spread through contaminated water sources affirm that typhoid, cholera, and dysentery are correctly identified in this context.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy