# Waterborne parasites in Uganda: A survey in Queen Elizabeth Protected Area

## TL;DR

This study found high levels of waterborne parasites in Uganda's Queen Elizabeth Protected Area, posing health risks to locals and tourists.

## Contribution

The study provides new data on the prevalence of specific waterborne parasites in a protected area in Uganda.

## Key findings

- Free-living amoeba (FLA) had the highest prevalence at 56.6% in water samples.
- Strongyle helminth eggs were detected in 38.2% of samples.
- Parasites in natural water sources pose a contamination risk to domestic water.

## Abstract

Pathogenic waterborne protozoa and helminths have the potential to cause infections in vulnerable populations such as children and immunocompromised individuals. Those residing in close proximity to wildlife‐protected areas in sub‐Saharan Africa, who are among the most economically disadvantaged, may have an increased susceptibility to these infections. This study aimed at detecting protozoan trophozoites/cysts, and helminth eggs in environmental and piped tap water (PTW) used by locals and tourists in the Queen Elizabeth Protected Area (QEPA) in western Uganda.

Water samples were taken from the natural environment and domestic PTW sources. The samples were analysed for helminth eggs, free‐living amoeba (FLA) trophozoites/cysts, Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts. The parasites were examined under the microscope, after which they were identified and counted. The data was subjected to univariate analysis to compare the prevalence rates across the different sample sites. The variables were summed using the mean and standard error of the mean.

The overall prevalence rates of the protozoan parasites, from highest to lowest, were as follows: FLA (56.6%), Cryptosporidium spp. (38.2%), Giardia spp. (36.5%), Eimeria spp. (20.3%) and Paramecium spp. (2.7%). Similarly, helminth parasite prevalence was as follows: Strongyle (38.2%), Ascaris spp. (33.3%), Trematodes (25%), Strongyloides (10.5%), Toxocara spp. (8.3%) and Capillaria spp. (3.2%).

The presence of parasites in natural water sources inside QEPA presents a significant hazard for the contamination of domestic water. It is imperative to implement established procedures for enhancing water quality.

As water has a multitude of functions, encompassing culinary, hygienic and recreational applications, studies looking at potentially pathogenic waterborne pathogens are crucial in order to prevent disease spread to rural populations and tourists. This study aimed at detecting protozoan trophozoites/cysts, and helminth eggs in environmental and piped tap water used by locals and tourists in the Queen Elizabeth Protected Area (QEPA) in western Uganda. Water samples were taken from natural (environmental) and domestic (piped tap water) sources. Identification of protozoan and helminth parasites in both natural and domestic water sources necessitates advocacy for the implementation of established procedures for enhancing water quality.