The Laboratory for Infectious Disease and the Environment (LIDE) studies the occurrence, fate and transport, and health effects of human and agricultural zoonotic pathogens in the environment.
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The LIDE collects and analyzes samples from many matrices—groundwater, surface water, runoff, wastewater, sediments, soil, manure, compost, digestate, and air. Some of our main areas of research include:
- Beaches, lakes, and rivers
- Ecological interactions
- Groundwater contamination
- Human health risk
- Manure and pathogens
- Microbial source tracking
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Assessing the health risk from waterborne pathogens for public users recreating on future Iowa Water Trails recreation sites near Des Moines
Scientists at LIDE are collaborating with Polk County Conservation in central Iowa to estimate the health risk posed to recreators in the Des Moines River and tributaries. Samples collected over two years are tested for viral, bacterial, and protozoan pathogens, and health risk is estimated using quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA). Health risk will also be compared to microbial source...
Well Water Advisory Forecasts for northeast Wisconsin
The fractured bedrock of northeast Wisconsin is vulnerable to groundwater contamination because water and contaminants can move quickly. LIDE is launching a study to predict contamination of private wells in northeast WI using Runoff Risk Advisory Forecasts (RRAF). RRAF is an online tool that forecasts conditions conducive to surface runoff, and the long-term vision is to leverage its forecasts to...
Southwest Wisconsin Groundwater and Geology (SWIGG) study
The fractured bedrock aquifers of southwest Wisconsin are often overlain by shallow soils, so private wells are potentially vulnerable to contamination by nitrate and pathogens from the land surface. The goal of this study is to evaluate the extent and causes of private well water contamination in three southwest Wisconsin counties.
Environmental factors and risk estimation for waterborne pathogens at three Great Lakes beaches
The goals of this study were to quantify pathogen concentrations in water at three Lake Michigan beaches, identify environmental factors that influence pathogen occurrence and variability, and to estimate health risks for recreational swimmers.
Evaluating the risks of airborne pathogens from manure irrigation
Manure irrigation, which is the application of liquid animal manure by irrigation, is increasing. However, the risk of airborne pathogen transmission from manure to humans during spray irrigation is not well-understood. To determine how pathogens can spread using manure irrigation, LIDE measured air concentrations and risk of illness due to exposure to pathogens in the irrigation spray.
Norovirus outbreak caused by a new septic system
Patrons and employees of a new restaurant were affected by acute gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea); initial tests were positive for fecal contamination. Investigators utilized a unique combination of epidemiological, microbial, and hydrogeological evidence that identified a new septic system as the source of the contamination.
Influence of aquatic invertebrates on the persistence and infectivity of Avian Flu
Little is known about the influence of aquatic invertebrates on the persistence and infectivity of avian influenza virus (AI) in aquatic environments. LIDE conducted laboratory experiments to investigate the ability of an aquatic filter-feeding invertebrate (eaten in large quantities by some ducks) to accumulate and potentially transmit infective virus to waterfowl from AI-contaminated water.
Groundwater viruses in Minnesota drinking water wells
In Minnesota, 74% of the State’s population relies on groundwater to supply their drinking water. Outbreaks of waterborne viral illness have been associated with groundwater, and surveys show that 30 percent of drinking water wells may be contaminated. LIDE is helping the State determine the occurrence of groundwater-borne viruses and the risk of illness in Minnesota groundwater.
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Assessing the health risk from waterborne pathogens for public users recreating on future Iowa Water Trails recreation sites near Des Moines
Scientists at LIDE are collaborating with Polk County Conservation in central Iowa to estimate the health risk posed to recreators in the Des Moines River and tributaries. Samples collected over two years are tested for viral, bacterial, and protozoan pathogens, and health risk is estimated using quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA). Health risk will also be compared to microbial source...Well Water Advisory Forecasts for northeast Wisconsin
The fractured bedrock of northeast Wisconsin is vulnerable to groundwater contamination because water and contaminants can move quickly. LIDE is launching a study to predict contamination of private wells in northeast WI using Runoff Risk Advisory Forecasts (RRAF). RRAF is an online tool that forecasts conditions conducive to surface runoff, and the long-term vision is to leverage its forecasts to...Southwest Wisconsin Groundwater and Geology (SWIGG) study
The fractured bedrock aquifers of southwest Wisconsin are often overlain by shallow soils, so private wells are potentially vulnerable to contamination by nitrate and pathogens from the land surface. The goal of this study is to evaluate the extent and causes of private well water contamination in three southwest Wisconsin counties.Environmental factors and risk estimation for waterborne pathogens at three Great Lakes beaches
The goals of this study were to quantify pathogen concentrations in water at three Lake Michigan beaches, identify environmental factors that influence pathogen occurrence and variability, and to estimate health risks for recreational swimmers.Evaluating the risks of airborne pathogens from manure irrigation
Manure irrigation, which is the application of liquid animal manure by irrigation, is increasing. However, the risk of airborne pathogen transmission from manure to humans during spray irrigation is not well-understood. To determine how pathogens can spread using manure irrigation, LIDE measured air concentrations and risk of illness due to exposure to pathogens in the irrigation spray.Norovirus outbreak caused by a new septic system
Patrons and employees of a new restaurant were affected by acute gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea); initial tests were positive for fecal contamination. Investigators utilized a unique combination of epidemiological, microbial, and hydrogeological evidence that identified a new septic system as the source of the contamination.Influence of aquatic invertebrates on the persistence and infectivity of Avian Flu
Little is known about the influence of aquatic invertebrates on the persistence and infectivity of avian influenza virus (AI) in aquatic environments. LIDE conducted laboratory experiments to investigate the ability of an aquatic filter-feeding invertebrate (eaten in large quantities by some ducks) to accumulate and potentially transmit infective virus to waterfowl from AI-contaminated water.Groundwater viruses in Minnesota drinking water wells
In Minnesota, 74% of the State’s population relies on groundwater to supply their drinking water. Outbreaks of waterborne viral illness have been associated with groundwater, and surveys show that 30 percent of drinking water wells may be contaminated. LIDE is helping the State determine the occurrence of groundwater-borne viruses and the risk of illness in Minnesota groundwater.