From the Research
Exposure to water from the Ganges River can lead to several serious infections, including acute diarrheal disease, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis, and shigellosis, due to its high contamination with sewage, industrial waste, and human remains, as reported in a recent study 1.
Infections Associated with Ganges River Water
The Ganges River is a significant source of waterborne diseases, with millions of people infected globally, and India being no exception 1. The most common infections associated with exposure to Ganges River water include:
- Bacterial diseases like typhoid fever, cholera, and E. coli infections
- Parasitic infections such as giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis
- Viral hepatitis A and E
- Skin infections from bacteria like Staphylococcus and Streptococcus
Prevention and Treatment
If exposed to Ganges water, it is essential to:
- Immediately wash the area with clean water and soap
- Seek medical attention promptly for ingestion Prevention measures include:
- Avoiding swallowing river water
- Using hand sanitizer after contact
- Covering open wounds
- Getting vaccinated for hepatitis A and typhoid before potential exposure Treatment depends on the specific infection but often includes:
- Antibiotics like ciprofloxacin (500mg twice daily for 7-14 days) for bacterial infections
- Metronidazole (500mg three times daily for 5-10 days) for parasitic infections
- Supportive care for viral infections
Contamination Sources
The Ganges' contamination stems from:
- Inadequate sewage treatment
- Religious practices involving corpse disposal
- Industrial pollution, creating an environment where pathogens thrive despite the river's natural antibacterial properties 1, 2, 3. A recent study found that the discharge of raw sewage into the river and its diversion beyond the city, downstream, by installation of pumps have failed to improve the quality of water 2. Another study reported that the overall rate of water-borne/enteric disease incidence, including acute gastrointestinal disease, cholera, dysentery, hepatitis-A, and typhoid, was estimated to be about 66% during the one-year period prior to the survey 3.