Water matrices are leading reservoirs of emerging pathogens and recalcitrant chemical contaminants, which are a public health threat. Wastewater treatment plants are the primary hotspot, as they occasionally release pollutants laden effluents to the recipient surface water, therefore being a rich contributor of microbial pathogens, as well as chemical contaminants and/or nanocontaminants to the aquatic milieu. Humans are exposed to these emerging contaminants (pathogens and chemicals) directly or indirectly through occupation, domestic and/or recreational pathways with attendant epidemiological consequences. Surveillance research targeted at isolating and identifying both the biotic and the abiotic pollutants, coupled with proffering and implementing the appropriate mitigation steps, should be encouraged, as this will keep the outbreak of epidemics and forestall public health problems at bay.
The need to focus research and development (R & D) on emerging pathogens and emerging contaminants has become more prominent by the recent pandemic. Since water covers most of the earth, it serves as one of the most important reservoirs for emerging pathogens and chemical contaminants. Emerging contaminants like antibiotic residues in water matrices may induce resistance and ecotoxicity, thus breeding difficult-to-control superbugs usually resistant to several antibiotics.
In 2017, the World Health Organization published the list of pathogens for which R and D is required. These pathogens were classified with critical, high and medial criteria. In line with the ideas of one health, it is also important to characterize and identify these pathogens and chemical contaminants in water resources; the route(s) of exposure and the observed or potential epidemiological outcomes. This will provide direction for mitigation toward preventing potential public health disturbances.
The expected manuscripts should cover water-related research reports with any of the following themes:
- Emerging pathogens
- Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA)
- Exposure pathways
- Source tracking and mitigation steps
- Emerging chemical contaminants in the environment or water matrices
- Epidemiological outcomes
- Water supply and sanitation
- Molecular epidemiology of antibiotic-resistant pathogens in water
- Wastewater in early warning sign
- Roles of the environment on water matrices and their public health implications
Expert reviews and research manuscripts with high scientific quality inputs will be considered. The manuscripts must be original, never published or not currently under consideration elsewhere.
Water matrices are leading reservoirs of emerging pathogens and recalcitrant chemical contaminants, which are a public health threat. Wastewater treatment plants are the primary hotspot, as they occasionally release pollutants laden effluents to the recipient surface water, therefore being a rich contributor of microbial pathogens, as well as chemical contaminants and/or nanocontaminants to the aquatic milieu. Humans are exposed to these emerging contaminants (pathogens and chemicals) directly or indirectly through occupation, domestic and/or recreational pathways with attendant epidemiological consequences. Surveillance research targeted at isolating and identifying both the biotic and the abiotic pollutants, coupled with proffering and implementing the appropriate mitigation steps, should be encouraged, as this will keep the outbreak of epidemics and forestall public health problems at bay.
The need to focus research and development (R & D) on emerging pathogens and emerging contaminants has become more prominent by the recent pandemic. Since water covers most of the earth, it serves as one of the most important reservoirs for emerging pathogens and chemical contaminants. Emerging contaminants like antibiotic residues in water matrices may induce resistance and ecotoxicity, thus breeding difficult-to-control superbugs usually resistant to several antibiotics.
In 2017, the World Health Organization published the list of pathogens for which R and D is required. These pathogens were classified with critical, high and medial criteria. In line with the ideas of one health, it is also important to characterize and identify these pathogens and chemical contaminants in water resources; the route(s) of exposure and the observed or potential epidemiological outcomes. This will provide direction for mitigation toward preventing potential public health disturbances.
The expected manuscripts should cover water-related research reports with any of the following themes:
- Emerging pathogens
- Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA)
- Exposure pathways
- Source tracking and mitigation steps
- Emerging chemical contaminants in the environment or water matrices
- Epidemiological outcomes
- Water supply and sanitation
- Molecular epidemiology of antibiotic-resistant pathogens in water
- Wastewater in early warning sign
- Roles of the environment on water matrices and their public health implications
Expert reviews and research manuscripts with high scientific quality inputs will be considered. The manuscripts must be original, never published or not currently under consideration elsewhere.