This study was carried out to determine the suitability of fecal indicator bacteria to predict human health risks associated with hepatitis A virus in a river in Nigeria, representing a regional situation in comparison with other global aspects. Water samples were collected from River Owena weekly over a period of twelve weeks i.e., July-September, 2017. The concentration of Escherichia coli, fecal coliforms, Salmonella and Shigella were determined by standard microbiological method. The concentration of hepatitis A virus was determined using standard molecular detection technique. Physicochemical properties of the water samples were determined using standard methods. Results showed that the concentration of Escherichia coli in the water samples ranged from 4.11 to 4.35 log₁₀ CFU 100 ml^-1 whereas those of fecal coliforms ranged from 4.23 to 4.51 log₁₀ CFU 100 ml^-1. Whilst the concentrations of the bacterial indicators correlated positively, there was no significant relationship between the concentration of hepatitis A virus and those of the bacterial indicators in the water samples. The findings from this study suggest that the sanitary quality of surface waters based on bacterial indicators may be inadequate in protecting human health from risks associated with hepatitis A virus.

fecal indicator bacteria, hepatitis a virus, human health, risk assessment, surface waters