waterborne illness
/ˈwɔːtərˌbɔːrn ˈɪlnəs/ · wa·ter·borne il·lus·ion
noun
- An illness caused by pathogenic microorganisms that are transmitted to humans through contaminated water. The outbreak of a waterborne illness forced the town to shut down its municipal water supply.
- A disease whose primary mode of transmission is via water, often leading to gastrointestinal symptoms. Travelers to regions with poor sanitation are advised to take precautions against waterborne illnesses such as cholera.
Synonyms
waterborne diseasewaterborne infectionwater-related illnessaquatic diseasehydric diseasecontaminated‑water diseasewater‑transmitted diseasewaterborne sickness
Antonyms
Did you know? John Snow's 1854 investigation of a cholera outbreak in London identified a contaminated water pump as the source, establishing the first scientific proof of a waterborne illness.