Waterborne Illness Outbreak Statistics: 2005-2014
Drinking Water Outbreaks
From 2005 to 2014 there were two reported drinking water illness outbreaks in Minnesota resulting in 12
known illnesses. One was an outbreak of giardiasis associated with drinking well water at a campground and the
other was an outbreak of giardiasis associated with drinking surface water along a hiking trail.
Recreational Water Outbreaks
From 2005 to 2014 there were 47 reported recreational water illness outbreaks in Minnesota resulting in 767
known illnesses (Figure 1). The largest proportion (47%) of outbreaks were caused by Cryptosporidium. Other
pathogens associated with outbreaks were: E. coli O157, Legionella, norovirus, Pseudomonas, and Shigella. Of
these 47 waterborne outbreaks, the most common type of illness experienced was acute gastrointestinal illness,
reported in 32 (68%) outbreaks, followed by dermatitis reported in 8 (17%) outbreaks and acute respiratory
illness reported in 7 (15%) outbreaks (Figure 2). Outbreaks occurred in a variety of settings; 26 occurred at
swimming pools, 11 at lakes, 7 at spa pools, 2 at splash pads, and 1 at a swimming pond.
Figure 1. Recreational Water Illness Outbreaks in
Minnesota by County, 2005-2014
Figure 2. Recreational Water Illness Outbreaks in
Minnesota by Illness Type, 2005-2014
Acute Gastrointestinal
Dermatitis
Acute Respiratory
12
11
No. outbreaks
10
8
7
6
6
6
4
4
4
3
2
2
2
2
0
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Year
Minnesota Department of Heath
Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention, and Control Division
PO Box 64975, Saint Paul, MN 55164-0975
651-201-5414 or 1-877-676-5414
www.health.state.mn.us
6/2015