This study evaluated the current status of surveillance for waterborne diseases
in European countries and characterized the epidemiology of these diseases and
outbreaks. Data gathered through surveillance systems for waterborne disease
outbreaks helped researchers identify the agents responsible for these outbreaks
and determine why the outbreaks occurred. The authors believe that if such
information was collected in a standardized way, it could be used to compare the
incidence of waterborne disease outbreaks in different countries and the possible
influence of various approaches in water treatment technologies. Includes 16 references, tables.