The association of weather and bathing water quality on the incidence of gastrointestinal illness in the west of Scotland

Eze, J.I., Scott, E.M. , Pollock, K.G., Stidson, R., Miller, C.A. and Lee, D. (2014) The association of weather and bathing water quality on the incidence of gastrointestinal illness in the west of Scotland. Epidemiology and Infection, 142(6), pp. 1289-1299. (doi: 10.1017/S0950268813002148) (PMID:24007797)

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Abstract

The associations with weather and bathing water quality on infectious intestinal disease (IID) were investigated using data from two Scottish NHS Board areas. Monthly counts of viral and non-viral gastrointestinal infections were modelled as a smooth function of temperature, relative humidity and average monthly counts of faecal indicator organisms, respectively, adjusting for season and long-term trend effects. Strong seasonal patterns were observed for each group of pathogens. Peak viral gastrointestinal infection was in May while that of non-viral gastrointestinal infections was in July. A statistically significant negative association existed between weather (temperature and humidity) and viral infection. Average levels of non-viral gastrointestinal infections increased as temperature and relative humidity increased. Increasing levels of faecal indicator organisms in bathing waters were also associated with an increase in the average number of viral and non-viral gastrointestinal infections at the ecological level. Future climate change and prolonged precipitation events may result in increasing levels of faecal indicator organisms in bathing waters leading to likely increases in IIDs.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Lee, Professor Duncan and Miller, Professor Claire and Scott, Professor Marian
Authors: Eze, J.I., Scott, E.M., Pollock, K.G., Stidson, R., Miller, C.A., and Lee, D.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Mathematics and Statistics > Statistics
Journal Name:Epidemiology and Infection
Publisher:Cambridge University Press
ISSN:0950-2688
ISSN (Online):1469-4409

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