What disease is a wastewater treatment plant employee at high risk of contracting?

A wastewater treatment plant employee is at high risk of contracting Hepatitis A due to the nature of their work, which involves handling sewage and other potentially contaminated materials. Hepatitis A is a viral infection that can be transmitted through the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of food or water that has been contaminated with the virus. Employees in wastewater treatment facilities may come into contact with pathogens present in raw sewage, making them susceptible to this virus.

The risk factor is heightened in environments where sanitation practices may be challenging or where there is a potential for exposure to contaminated water. Hepatitis A can lead to significant gastrointestinal illness and liver dysfunction, which raises concern for workers who are regularly exposed to such hazards.

Other diseases associated with wastewater environments can include cholera and typhoid, but they are primarily waterborne illnesses that occur in regions with inadequate sanitation and clean drinking water, rather than being specific occupational hazards for wastewater treatment personnel. Norovirus is a common cause of gastroenteritis but is less associated with direct transmission through wastewater handling and more commonly spreads through contaminated food, surfaces, and person-to-person contact. Therefore, Hepatitis A stands out as the primary concern for employees in these facilities.