Potential Salmonella transmission from ornamental fountains. (Practical Stuff!).* The authors measured the presence of Escherichia coli Escherichia coli (ĕsh'ərĭk`ēə kō`lī), common bacterium that normally inhabits the intestinal tracts of humans and animals, but can cause infection in other parts of the body, especially the urinary tract. and Salmonella in water samples obtained from ornamental fountains located in Guadalajara City, Mexico. * The access of animals to water fountains, as well as the observed defecation defecation or bowel movement Elimination of feces from the digestive tract. Peristalsis moves feces through the colon to the rectum, where they stimulate the urge to defecate. of birds in the water, can be an important source of Salmonella and other pathogenic organisms. * Other types of recreational waters exposed to animals have been reported as a source of infection in cases of dermatitis, gastroenteritis gastroenteritis: see enteritis. gastroenteritis Acute infectious syndrome of the stomach lining and intestines. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. , meningitis, Pontiac fever, and leptospirosis leptospirosis (lĕp'təspīrō`sĭs), febrile disease caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospirae. The disease occurs in dogs, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and horses and is transmissible to humans. . * The oral route of infection is the most common. * There may also be an exposure risk for people who stand or walk near contaminated ornamental fountains. * When the fountain water is sprayed into the atmosphere, particularly under windy conditions, inhalation of droplets may lead to infections from pathogenic microorganisms in the water. * In humans, ingestion ingestion /in·ges·tion/ (-chun) the taking of food, drugs, etc., into the body by mouth. in·ges·tion n. 1. The act of taking food and drink into the body by the mouth. 2. of just a few Salmonella cells can be infectious. * One to 10 cells can constitute a human infectious dose. * Since mucus from the respiratory tract is swallowed to a significant extent, it is possible that inhalation of contaminated aerosols could be a real hazard. * The risk of infection among people who are passively and involuntarily exposed to contaminated aerosols can be decreased by a strict regimen of disinfection disinfection, n the process of destroying pathogenic organisms or rendering them inert. disinfection, full oral cavity, n a procedure used to reduce active periodontal disease, usually completed within a certain short time frame. . * Better education about the health risks of contact with such aerosols also would help. |
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