Certified in Public Health (CPH) Practice Exam

What simple, low-tech sanitation measure can dramatically reduce the spread of enteric bacteria and viruses?

1. Disposing of stagnant water

2. Sleeping under an insecticide-soaked bednet

3. Vaccination of those individuals who work on the water supply

4. Chlorination of drinking water

The correct answer is: Chlorination of drinking water

Chlorination of drinking water is an effective and straightforward sanitation measure that significantly reduces the presence of enteric bacteria and viruses in water supplies. This process involves adding chlorine or chlorine compounds to water, which effectively kills pathogens that can be responsible for waterborne diseases, such as cholera and typhoid fever. By disinfecting the water, chlorination not only helps to prevent outbreaks of enteric illnesses but also contributes to overall public health. In many regions, especially where water quality may be compromised or where sanitation infrastructure is lacking, chlorination serves as a critical barrier to disease transmission. It provides a low-cost, accessible solution that can be implemented widely, making it a practical choice for reducing the burden of infectious diseases associated with contaminated drinking water. Other options, while they may contribute to overall health, do not directly target the specific reduction of enteric pathogens in the water supply. Disposing of stagnant water can help reduce mosquito breeding, insecticide-treated bednets primarily target vector-borne diseases, and vaccination of workers aids in protective measures but does not address waterborne pathogens directly. Therefore, chlorination remains the most effective low-tech approach for controlling the spread of enteric bacteria and viruses in drinking water.