Normally when people think foodborne illness, they think it is actually associated with food; however, water can serve as a host for parasitic, and bacterial foodborne illness organisms.  The Salt Lake Tribune recently posted a boil order for Saratoga Springs, Utah in an article by David Meyers entitled “Saratoga Springs Boil Order Still in Effect.” Utah County has recently seen seven cases of... [more]

Children love petting zoos. Interacting one on one with the sheep and goats seems to be particularly fun for youngsters. However, petting zoos can be a hidden source of various illnesses including E. coli. There are several illnesses which can be passed from animals to people. Some of these are more commonly thought of as foodborne illnesses. Here is a list of some of the transferrable illnesses: Brucellosis... [more]

Mentally, I have been planning a camping trip for several years now. Sleeping under the starry skies and hiking through some of the most pristine forests this country has to offer. I have looked at backpacks with lightweight frames, moleskin to prevent blisters, outdoor cooking equipment, and, of course, a coffee pot. One interesting thing that I have looked at are water treatment tablets. After researching... [more]

As emergency teams rushed to Haiti to provide supplies and medical assistance to injured victims, one of the main health issues that arose was maintaining the safety of the water supply. A January 13, 2010 CNN article entitled “Haiti Earthquake Could Trigger Medical ‘Perfect Storm,’” describes how animal feces and decaying bodies can contaminate available water causing diarrheal infections... [more]

Gastroenteritis means inflammation of the stomach and small and large intestines. Viral gastroenteritis is an infection caused by a variety of viruses that results in vomiting or diarrhea. It is often called the “stomach flu,” although it is not caused by the influenza viruses. Many different viruses can cause gastroenteritis, including rotaviruses, noroviruses, adenoviruses, sapoviruses,... [more]