Warnings Issued On Contaminated Slum Water

Traces of 25 DNA virus families have been found in the underground water of slums in Kampala and Arusha, according to researchers from the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education.

Among the potentially harmfully viruses identified were traces of the herpes virus, poxvirus and papilloma virus. 

Scientists have expressed concern that the water poses a serious risk to residents. The herpes virus and poxvirus are both linked to skin infections and the papilloma virus is a cause of several cancer types such as cervical, laryngeal and mouth. 

Speaking on the findings one of the lead researchers Dr Jan Willem Foppen stated, "This could be just a tip of the iceberg. We have not found all the viruses. We found the most abundant ones.” 

"Let's do something about sanitation. Let us improve our sources of drinking water and identify new pathways with communities towards sustainability," he added.