Diseases caused by pathogens in the urban water system in the metropolitan region of Belém, Pará, Brazil, and their relationship with the socio-economic context of the population

Abstract

The metropolitan region of Belém-PA suffers human fecal pollution in the local water supply system favoring the increase in cases of water circulating diseases in the population, especially the most socioeconomically vulnerable. Therefore, it is necessary to compile
information on cases of these diseases over the years in this region, in order to better define public health policies. Thus, this work aims to contribute to the gathering of this information through a literature review selecting articles found in the SciELO, Pubmed and Google Academic databases with publications between 2005 and 2021 in Portuguese and English.
The neighborhoods most affected by water circulation diseases proved were Guamá, Marco, Jurunas, Tapanã, Telegrafo and Terra Firme, located close to hydrographic basins, rivers and canals and are subject to flooding due to high tides and overflowing canals. In addition, the population in these neighborhoods is considered underprivileged. The most cited diseases and symptoms were leptospirosis, worms and diarrhea, which are easily prevented. Total and thermotolerant coliforms were also widely described, being the main indicators of fecal water
contamination. The importance of sanitary measures is evidenced, as these reduce cases of water supply diseases in urban centers and improve population health. The quality of the water in the supply network is also important to mitigate the prevalence of these diseases.
KEY WORDS: Pathogens; sanitation; water resources; Belém, PA.