Validity of coliphages as indicators of viral pollution of water in the Aral Sea area, Uzbekistan

Abstract

Hygienic standards of microbial contamination of water in water-bodiesfor different types of water consumption have been developed to preventintestinal infections amongst the population. The current methods ofmicrobiologic examination of water in water-bodies used for differenttypes of water sources in Uzbekistan do not always meet the ISOrequirements. This sets the goals of studding the validity of thebacteriological and viral indicators as well as implementing appropriatemethods of laboratory analysis.Timely identification of microbial contamination of water is of specialimportance for correct and quick arrangement of anti-epidemic andsanitation activities. Among all other activities aimed at the reductionand prevention of viral infections, early and prompt identification ofviral pollution of water is of top priority. According to the UzbekState Standard 950:2000 ``Drinking Water{''} a number of plague formingunits (PFU) of coliphages in water was recommended as an indirectindicator of water pollution by enteroviruses.The study conducted in Khorazm and Karakalpakstan (in the Aral Sea area)could find no correlation between the rate of viral hepatitis A (VHA),percentage of tap-water samples that do not meet the standard and thequality of water from surface water-bodies tested for coliphages. Thismakes questionable the sanitary-indicative value of coliphages and theirusefulness for evaluation of epidemiological safety of water regardingviral infection.It is necessary to set modem and more representative direct methodsrevealing the indicators of viral pollution of water in water-bodies andtap-water in Uzbekistan.