Waterborne Disease:
- A waterborne disease refers to any illness or infection that is caused by the ingestion or exposure to contaminated water.
- These diseases can be caused by various types of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, that enter the water supply and can be transmitted to humans.
- Waterborne diseases are a significant public health concern, particularly in areas with inadequate sanitation and poor water quality.
Identifying the waterborne disease:
To determine which one of the following diseases is a waterborne disease, we need to consider the mode of transmission and the pathogens involved.
- Polio:
- Polio, also known as poliomyelitis, is caused by the poliovirus.
- It is primarily transmitted through person-to-person contact, mainly through the fecal-oral route.
- While water can serve as a medium for the transmission of poliovirus, it is not considered a waterborne disease. Therefore, option A is incorrect.
- Tuberculosis:
- Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- TB is mainly transmitted through the air, typically when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- Waterborne transmission is not a known route for TB, making option B incorrect.
- Dysentery:
- Dysentery is an inflammatory disorder of the intestine, usually caused by bacterial or parasitic infection.
- The most common types of dysentery are caused by the bacteria Shigella and the parasite Entamoeba histolytica.
- Dysentery can be transmitted through contaminated water or food, making it a waterborne disease. Therefore, option C is correct.
- Measles:
- Measles is a highly contagious viral infection caused by the measles virus.
- It is transmitted through respiratory droplets from an infected person.
- Waterborne transmission is not associated with measles, so option D is incorrect.
Therefore, the correct answer is option C: Dysentery. It is a waterborne disease caused by bacterial or parasitic infection.