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.
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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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.
Septic systems and rainfall influence human fecal markers and indicator organisms occurrence in private wells in southeastern Pennsylvania
In the United States approximately 48 million people are served by private wells. Unlike public water systems, private well water quality is not monitored and there are few studies on the extent and sources of contamination of private wells. We extensively investigated five private wells to understand the variability in microbial contamination, the role of septic systems as sources of contaminatio
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- Science
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. - Publications
Septic systems and rainfall influence human fecal markers and indicator organisms occurrence in private wells in southeastern Pennsylvania
In the United States approximately 48 million people are served by private wells. Unlike public water systems, private well water quality is not monitored and there are few studies on the extent and sources of contamination of private wells. We extensively investigated five private wells to understand the variability in microbial contamination, the role of septic systems as sources of contaminatio