Mississippi Children Plagued By Parasites Linked to Poor Sanitation

TL/DR –

Marecitta Dorsey suspected her children’s stomach issues were related to the water in their town, Shaw, Mississippi, plagued by sanitation problems. Researchers warn that such problems could contribute to widespread intestinal infections and parasites. In Bolivar county, where Shaw is located, researchers found that 38% of the children in their initial sample had intestinal parasitic infections and 80% had high levels of intestinal inflammation, a common symptom of parasites.

Impacts of Poor Sanitation in Shaw, Mississippi

Marecitta Dorsey’s four children often suffered from stomach issues, leading her to suspect that the water in Shaw, Mississippi, was the cause. Shaw, home to 1,400 residents, is known for its sanitation problems, with residents filing numerous complaints about wastewater leaks and burst pipes exposing them to raw sewage. These issues could be contributing to intestinal infections and parasites such as hookworm, roundworm, and tapeworm, as about 12 million Americans are believed to have neglected parasitic infections.

These illnesses, linked to poverty and poor sanitation, are believed to have been eradicated through investments in sanitation and public health. However, recent research reveals high infection rates, particularly in the South. Researchers have been collecting stool and blood samples in Bolivar county since 2019, trying to uncover the impact of poor sanitation on public health. Their findings published in the American Journal of Human Biology reveal that 38% of the surveyed children had intestinal parasitic infections, while 80% showed high levels of intestinal inflammation, a common symptom of parasites.

Issues in Bolivar County

Bolivar county, predominantly black and with a median household income of just under $29,000, faces environmental challenges due to failing sanitation systems. The residents have filed 107 complaints since 2008 about raw sewage flooding backyards and causing headaches and nausea. Despite these issues, the town’s officials insist that their water samples comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act. However, the Mississippi wastewater infrastructure received a D- on the Infrastructure Report Card, suggesting a $2bn backlog in required repairs and upgrades. This could potentially cause leaks, putting the public’s health at risk.

Charlene Gray, a resident of Choctaw near Shaw, points to a frequent issue where the county sewage pump gets overwhelmed by debris, leading raw sewage to pool outside her home. Both the Mississippi department of environmental quality (MDEQ) and the state health department declined to comment on the potential link between poor infrastructure and parasitic infections.

Finally, after years of dealing with her children’s health issues, Dorsey moved her family to the outskirts of the county. She expressed relief that her children have not suffered from stomach problems since the move, attributing their improved health to better-quality water.

—
Read More Health & Wellness News ; US News