Quick Answer: How much does a waterborne Cryptosporidiosis outbreak really cost? A lot. The 1993 Milwaukee outbreak, for example, hit hard: an estimated $96.2 million in losses. That’s $31.7 million for medical bills and another $64.6 million in lost work. If you get sick, it could cost you anywhere from $327 to $3,531. But if you have a weak immune system, that number can jump to over $35,000. It’s clear that investing in RO and UV water treatment systems upfront makes way more sense than dealing with an outbreak, lawsuits, and fines later.

\\nChyzheuskaya, A.; Cormican, M.; Raghavendra Srivinas; O’Donovan, D.; Prendergast, M.; O’Donoghue, C.; Morris, D.\\n\\nEmerging Infectious Diseases, 23 (10):1650-1656; 10.3201/eid2310.1520372017\\n

Abstract

\\nBack in 2007, a waterborne outbreak of Cryptosporidium hominis hit western Ireland. We saw 242 lab-confirmed cases, and probably many more that weren’t. A boil water notice stayed in place for 158 days, affecting 120,432 people living there, plus businesses, tourists, and commuters. This was Ireland’s biggest cryptosporidiosis outbreak ever. We wanted to figure out the actual cost of it. So, we looked at things from a societal point of view, adding up all the direct and indirect costs for both public and private groups. Based on 2007 numbers, we estimate the outbreak cost over €19 million, which is about €120,000 every single day of the outbreak. Today, that’s roughly $22.44 million, or about $142,000 per day. This study really drives home why we need safe drinking water. It’s not just a health issue, it’s an economic one too.\\n\\nThe post Economic Assessment of Waterborne Outbreak of Cryptosporidiosis appeared first on Facts About Water.\\n\\nSource: Water Feed