Waterborne Diseases - GCSE Geography Definition

Waterborne diseases are illnesses that spread through water contaminated by harmful microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites. These diseases occur when people drink or come into contact with water that hasn't been properly cleaned, and they can cause symptoms like diarrhoea, vomiting, and fever. Common examples of waterborne diseases include cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. They are often more widespread in places where access to clean and safe water is limited. Understanding waterborne diseases is important in geography because it helps explain how access to clean water affects health and the development of communities around the world.