Waterborne diseases still remain a major threat to-date. In 2024, for instance, over 800,000 cholera cases were reported globally, with 5,805 deaths as per World Health Organization (WHO). Over 800,000 cases means that these instances increased by almost 50% from the 535,321 cases reported in 2023, while 5,805 deaths also marks a great upsurge from the 4,007 cases registered the previous year.  

And get this: These numbers have been rising since 2021, suggesting that things could get uglier in the future if no effective measures are taken. 

Actually, in 2025, six countries: Myanmar, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, South Sudan, Angola, and Ghana have already requested cholera vaccines from the global stockpile in response to ongoing outbreaks.

The alarming stats underscore the persistent threat of waterborne diseases, especially in regions with inadequate sanitation and access to clean water.

Despite advancements in water treatment and sanitation, waterborne diseases remain a significant public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Factors such as aging infrastructure, climate change, and inadequate sanitation contribute to the persistence and resurgence of these diseases.

🦠 The 10 Most Common Waterborne Diseases

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1. Cholera

Cholera, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, is an acute diarrheal illness that can lead to severe dehydration and death if untreated. In 2024, the World Health Organization reported over 800,000 cases and 5,805 deaths globally, with significant outbreaks in countries like Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan. 

The disease spreads rapidly in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water. Efforts to control cholera include improving water and sanitation infrastructure and increasing access to oral cholera vaccines.

2. Typhoid Fever

Typhoid fever, caused by Salmonella Typhi, is a systemic infection transmitted through contaminated food and water. The World Health Organization estimates approximately 9 million cases annually, resulting in around 110,000 deaths. 

The emergence of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains, particularly in countries like Pakistan, poses a significant challenge to treatment efforts. Vaccination, improved sanitation, and responsible antibiotic use are critical components in combating typhoid fever.

3. Dysentery

Dysentery, characterized by severe diarrhea with blood, is primarily caused by Shigella bacteria or Entamoeba histolytica parasites. It is prevalent in areas with inadequate sanitation and is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five. 

Transmission occurs through ingestion of contaminated food or water, and prevention strategies include promoting hand hygiene, safe food handling, and access to clean water.

4. Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a viral liver infection transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food or water. According to a 2024 report by the FAO and WHO, it causes approximately 14 million cases and 28,000 deaths annually. The disease is preventable through vaccination, improved sanitation, and ensuring safe food and water supplies.

5. Giardiasis

Giardiasis, caused by the parasite Giardia intestinalis, leads to gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, cramps, and nausea. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates approximately 415,000 cases annually in the United States. 

The parasite is commonly found in untreated water sources, and prevention includes proper water treatment, hand hygiene, and avoiding consumption of potentially contaminated water.

6. Cryptosporidiosis

Cryptosporidiosis is caused by Cryptosporidium parasites and results in watery diarrhea and stomach cramps. The CDC reports an estimated 823,000 cases annually in the United States. 

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The parasite is resistant to chlorine disinfection, making it a concern in recreational water sources like swimming pools. Preventive measures include avoiding swallowing water from potentially contaminated sources and practicing good hygiene.

7. E. coli Infection

Escherichia coli (E. coli) infections can range from mild diarrhea to severe illness, including hemolytic uremic syndrome. In 2024, an outbreak linked to contaminated carrots resulted in 39 infections, 15 hospitalizations, and one death across 18 U.S. states. 

E. coli is commonly transmitted through consumption of contaminated food or water, and prevention includes proper food handling, cooking, and water treatment practices.

8. Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, is caused by parasitic worms of the genus Schistosoma. The World Health Organization estimates that it affects approximately 240 million people worldwide, with over 700 million at risk in endemic areas. 

The disease is contracted through contact with freshwater sources contaminated with the parasites. Control measures include mass drug administration, improved sanitation, and access to safe water.

9. Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection transmitted through contact with water contaminated by the urine of infected animals. The CDC reports over 1 million cases annually worldwide, resulting in approximately 59,000 deaths. 

Outbreaks are often associated with flooding and poor sanitation. Preventive strategies include avoiding contact with potentially contaminated water and controlling rodent populations.

10. Rotavirus

Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe diarrhea among infants and young children. The World Health Organization recommends inclusion of rotavirus vaccines in national immunization programs, particularly in countries with high mortality rates from rotavirus gastroenteritis. Vaccination, along with improved sanitation and hygiene, has significantly reduced the incidence and severity of rotavirus infections globally.

🌡️ Climate Change and Waterborne Diseases

Climate change exacerbates the spread of waterborne diseases through increased flooding, rising temperatures, and disrupted water systems. These environmental changes create ideal conditions for pathogens to thrive, leading to more frequent and severe outbreaks.

How To Protect Yourself and Community from Waterborne Diseases

Preventing waterborne diseases requires a multifaceted approach that encompasses ensuring safe drinking water, practicing proper hygiene, and maintaining adequate sanitation. Each of these elements plays a critical role in safeguarding individual and public health.

💧 1. Ensuring Safe Drinking Water

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Access to clean and safe drinking water is fundamental to preventing waterborne illnesses. The WHO reported that in 2022, 73% of the global population had access to safely managed drinking-water services, leaving 2.2 billion people without such access. 

Contaminated water can harbor pathogens like E. coli, Vibrio cholerae, and Salmonella, leading to diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery.

In regions where water safety is compromised, boiling water is a recommended practice. For instance, in May 2025, residents in parts of Yorkshire, UK, were advised to boil tap water after high levels of coliform bacteria were detected, indicating possible contamination by harmful pathogens . Boiling water effectively kills most bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, making it a simple yet vital method for ensuring water safety.

Additionally, community initiatives like the mass-scale use of Field Testing Kits (FTKs) in rural India have empowered local populations to test and ensure the safety of their drinking water, highlighting the importance of community involvement in water safety.

🧼 2. Practicing Proper Hand Hygiene

Hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to prevent the transmission of waterborne diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that proper handwashing can prevent up to 50% of avoidable infections acquired during health care delivery. 

Despite its importance, as of 2023, 2.3 billion people globally lacked access to a handwashing facility with water and soap at home.

Inadequate hand hygiene contributes significantly to the global disease burden. The World Health Organization estimates that unsafe hand hygiene alone is responsible for 394,000 deaths from diarrhoea and 356,000 deaths from acute respiratory infections annually .

Promoting regular handwashing with soap, especially after using the toilet and before handling food, is crucial in breaking the transmission cycle of many waterborne pathogens.

🚽 3. Maintaining Adequate Sanitation

Proper sanitation is integral to preventing the spread of waterborne diseases. Inadequate sanitation facilities and water pollution can lead to environmental contamination, facilitating the transmission of diseases such as cholera, hepatitis A, and intestinal worm infections. The WHO reports that in 2019, 1.4 million deaths could have been prevented with safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services .

Efforts to improve sanitation include constructing and maintaining clean toilet facilities, promoting the use of latrines, and ensuring the safe disposal of human waste. Community-led total sanitation (CLTS) programs have been effective in mobilizing communities to eliminate open defecation and improve sanitation practices. Such initiatives not only reduce the incidence of waterborne diseases but also contribute to overall community well-being and dignity.

By focusing on these three pillars: safe drinking water, proper hand hygiene, and adequate sanitation, individuals and communities can significantly reduce the risk of waterborne diseases. Collective action, supported by public health policies and community engagement, is essential in achieving sustainable improvements in water safety and hygiene.

Conclusion: Water is Life

Every time someone falls sick from cholera or typhoid, it’s not just a medical failure; it’s a human rights failure. We know how to stop these diseases. Clean water. Safe toilets. Handwashing with soap.

And yet, over 2 billion people still drink water laced with feces. That’s not a statistic. That’s a wake-up call.

We can’t afford to wait. Not when children are dying from diarrhea. Not when climate change is making clean water even harder to find.

Protecting water is protecting life. And that starts with what we do right now — in our homes, our communities, and our voices.