Before we look at what the World Health Organisation have to say about the current Swine Flu pandemic, take a look at the special feature attached below from eOfficial magazine which reports on how plumbers should be the first line of defence, ahead of doctors, in the fight against health problems caused by poor sanitation.

There is often a strong correlation between poor plumbing practice and disease outbreak, as is again suggested by the outbreak of swine flu.

This latest outbreak of Swine Flu A (H1N1) is reported to have its origins in one of the largest pig farms in the world, in Vera Cruz, Mexico. A newspaper from the region has reported that fecal matter contaminating the runoff water from local pig farms was suspected of being the starting point of this strain of flu. Swine flu origins

Water sanitation is not known as one of Mexico’s strong points, but is it responsible for the current Swine Flu pandemic? Officials representing the farm have strenuously denied the accusations.

This strain of swine flu has to date killed 61 people arond the world, 56 in Mexico, with another 4,800 reported cases.

It is not the first time in recent years that swine flu has raised its ugly head.

In Romania in 2007, a Smithfield Foods operation tested positive for classic swine flu which is harmless to humans. In 2008 in North Carolina, the Water Keepers organisation won a settlement for Smithfield to improve conditions in 276 of its farms to protect water supplies in close proximity.

And we don’t have to look too far into the past to recall other serious breaches of public health as a result of poor plumbing. These were in first-world countries.

There was the dramatic SARS outbreak in Hong Kong in 2003 that sent the world into a frenetic spin. Poor plumbing maintenance was demonstrated to have played a key role in the rapid spread of the disease. However, appropriate practice and use of technology could have prevented the problem. SARS

Then there was the 2007 outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in the UK, where an animal research facility was believed to have breached biosecurity regulations by way of poor plumbing installations. Foot and Mouth

As recently noted in the IAPMO journal in an article titled The First Line of Defense the plumber plays a key (and often underestimated) role in protecting a health of the nation.

It is vital that when outbreaks such as these occur, plumbers and engineers are consulted – in combination with health officials and governing bodies – to help find long-term solutions.

It is important to learn from history and seek solutions and safeguards so that these problems are no longer a threat to human wellbeing.

The situation again highlights the important daily work undertaken by the plumbing industry; too often put to the background by governments, industry and the public until major health hazards occur.

To prevent these situations, the plumbing fraternity must be engaged.

Editor’s note:
WPI wishes to thank eOfficial for supplying the article and American Standard for the use of images.