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Outbreak Response Resources

A waterborne outbreak is a cluster of two or more infections caused by the same agent(s) and linked to the same water exposure. Outbreaks can be caused by water contaminated with pathogens, chemicals, or toxins which can be spread through ingestion of, contact with, or breathing contaminated water.

State and territorial health departments can request epidemiologic assistance, water quality assessment, and laboratory testing from CDC during waterborne disease outbreaks.

Collection of large-volume water samples might be required to identify pathogens that require special protocols for their recovery. The EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline can be consulted for information about drinking water rules, guidance, and regulations or to identify state and local laboratories certified for drinking water quality testing.  The US Geological Survey  can be consulted, in cooperation with state and local agencies, for assistance with hydrogeologic investigations of outbreaks when untreated ground water is suspected.

Requests for CDC Outbreak Consultations, Laboratory Testing, and Assistance

(e.g., outbreak investigations, water system issues, epidemiologic assistance, water testing, diagnosis of free-living amebae, or molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium and Giardia)

Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch
Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, CDC
Telephone: 404-639-1700
Email: healthywater@cdc.gov
Internet: http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/

More Information

CDC
Internet: http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/

  • Drinking water health communication and education resources for the general public
  • Information on maintaining individual wells and effectively disinfecting water when camping, hiking, or traveling
  • Outbreak investigation toolkit and technical information concerning laboratory diagnostics

Healthy Water Sites

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