Microbial risk assessment
Rolling revision of the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality
Microbial risk assessment is included in the plan of work of the rolling revision of the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality.
Expected end-product(s)
Risk assessment (QMRA) on Cryptosporidium to be combined with the text on Cryptosporidium currently published as part of the microbiological addendum to the Second Edition to become a free-standing report; stand-alone document on Campylobacter
Progress to date
The Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality Final Task Force meeting (Geneva, 2003) recommended that risk assessments be prepared on E. coli O157, Cryptosporidium, Campylobacter and enteric viruses with varying levels of priority depending on the availability of sufficient data. Drafts had previously been prepared on Cryptosporidium and enteric viruses. Both were incomplete, and there was concern about the lack of data regarding enteric viruses.
A draft document on Cryptosporidium is now available for review and comments. Comments should be sent before 10 Avril 2006.