Diseases Acquired During Travel or Recreational Activities
Our exposure to infectious agents has increased—not only with foreign travel, but also domestic travel. Swimming in fresh water, depending on the location in the United States, carries risk of becoming infected with various pathogens including Cryptosporidium (a parasite that typically causes watery diarrhea), Naeglaria (an amoeba that may cause highly fatal meningitis or encephalitis) and Noroviruses (most common symptoms are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea). Unfortunately, this can also translate into illness acquired on rafting trips, at theme parks and on cruise ships.
EHA has the ability to recognize and analyze cases, clusters and outbreaks in these types of infectious diseases. Bacterial and other viral infections can also be acquired from swimming in contaminated waters.