ATLANTA — The United States had fewer reported disease outbreaks linked to drinking water in 2001 and 2002 than in the preceding two years, according a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
An estimated 1,020 people fell ill from drinking contaminated water in 31 outbreaks in 2001 and 2002, the CDC reported in a supplement to its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The figures are compared to 39 outbreaks and an estimated 2,068 illness cases in 1999 and 2000, the CDC said.
In the previous two-year period, causes went unidentified in 17, or 44 percent, of the outbreaks. The reduction in unexplained outbreaks in 2001 and 2002 probably reflects both improved outbreak investigations and better diagnostic capabilities, the report said.
Of the 31 outbreaks, 23 involved groundwater sources, 10 of which involved untreated groundwater, the report noted.
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