So Many Oocysts, So Few Outbreaks

Prevention of waterborne disease outbreaks is a primary objective of drinking water treatment. As required by the Information Collection Rule (ICR), selected US water utilities have begun monitoring for specified chemical contaminants, Cryptosporidium, and other waterborne pathogens. When Cryptosporidium oocysts are detected during ICR monitoring, will these surveillance programs be able to estimate the risk of waterborne cryptosporidiosis? This article addresses such questions in a look at the future of surveillance programs for waterborne disease.