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One study found that farmers could unintentionally contribute to the spread of diseases such as gastroenteritis and diarrhea by irrigating crops with wastewater.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham in the UK have found that the wastewater from the canals used for urban agriculture in Burkina Faso is rich in virulent human pathogens, responsible for gastroenteritis and diarrhea – a cause deaths in low- and middle-income countries.
They studied samples of wastewater from three canals in the capital Ouagadougou, a city of 2.2 million inhabitants.
After identifying a wide range of antibiotic resistance genes in water, they concluded that the use of wastewater for urban agriculture in cities posed a high risk of spreading bacteria and bacteria. antimicrobial resistance in humans and animals.
While the urban population of sub-Saharan Africa is projected to grow from 400 million (2010) to 1.26 billion in 2050, according to UN estimates, agriculture in cities is recognized as an essential means of contribute to food security and poverty reduction.
"The use of wastewater for agricultural irrigation represents a very serious health risk, especially because it increases exposure to fecal pathogens." Sewage appears to be a "hot spot" for antibiotic-resistant bacteria in Burkina Faso, "said Laura Piddock, of the University of Birmingham. UK.
"We urgently need additional investigations to determine the extent to which exposed populations are affected by this health problem," Piddock said.
"There is also an urgent need to improve global access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in low- and middle-income countries to prevent the spread of water and sanitation. from the bacterial resistance of the environment to the population, "she said.
"Some 200 million urban dwellers would be engaged in urban agriculture around the world and, in some cases, would produce up to 90% of cities' demand for perishable vegetables, according to UN research. "said Blaise Bougnon of the University of Yaounde in Cameroon.
"Over 80% of domestic and industrial wastewater generated in low- and middle-income countries is released untreated into the environment because of its low cost, availability and nutrient content. Urban agriculture relies on wastewater for irrigation, "Bougnon said.
There is a growing number of multidrug-resistant bacteria with common antibiotics that can not be treated with current therapies.
Antibiotic resistance has led to the need for more expensive drugs, which many can not afford, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality.
Between 50% and 90% of antibiotics administered to humans and animals are excreted as a mixture of original drugs and metabolites, with significant amounts of active drugs reaching the environment where they can persist in the soil. and aquatic ecosystems.
The study identified pathogenic pathogens in water channel samples that are generally responsible for water-borne diseases that could directly or indirectly expose people to these wastewaters with acute diarrhea, chronic gastritis, and gastroenteritis.
According to the World Health Organization, in low- and middle-income countries, 842,000 people die each year from diarrhea because of a lack of water, sanitation, and sanitation. # 39; hygiene.
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