Press Release

Surveillance Summaries: May 26, 2000/Vol 49/No. SS-4

Surveillance for Waterborne-disease Outbreaks, United States, 1997-1998

During 1997-1998, a total of 13 states reported 17 outbreaks associated with drinking water. These outbreaks caused an estimated 2,038 persons to become ill. No deaths were reported. Drinking water outbreaks associated with surface water decreased from 31.8% during 1995-1996 to 11.8% during 1997-1998. In contrast, the proportion of outbreaks associated with systems supplied by a groundwater source increased from 59.1% during 1995-1996 to 88.2% during 1997-1998.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES