Bug in water (We stayed in Rhyd Ddu one year)

November 24, 2005

Health experts say cases of illness caused by a water-borne parasite

are five times higher in Gwynedd and Anglesey this autumn than in 2004.

To date, 72 cases of cryptosporidiosis, have been confirmed, compared

to just 14 in the same period last year.

The Cwellyn reservoir near Rhyd-ddu is being investigated as the most

likely source of the stomach illness.

The National Public Health Service has reminded people with low

immunity to boil their drinking water.

Officials said 70.000 people in Gwynedd and parts of Anglesey, whose

water comes from the reservoir, are most at risk.

Cryptosporidium is a tiny parasite found in humans and animals. Full

recovery usually takes about two weeks.

The parasite can survive for many months in water and soil.

Mark Walker, consultant National Public Health Service for Wales, at

Thursday's briefing

As a precautionary measure, we are taking action to reduce the risk to

people with severely impaired immune systems

Mark Walker, National Public Health Service for Wales

Q & A: Cryptosporidium

Mark Walker, a consultant with the National Public Health Service for

Wales described the outbreak as " second league " and stressed only

those with impaired immunity would suffer complications because of the

illness.

He said others would suffer " unpleasant diarrhoea and maybe sickness "

but with no lasting side effects.

Mr Walker added: " As a precautionary measure, we are therefore taking

action to reduce the risk to people with severely impaired immune

systems. "

During a media briefing on the matter, Mr Walker said that in the

first instance - two week ago - only those with impaired immunity had

been reminded, through their clinician, to boil their water.

But now everyone was being told to take special care with personal

hygiene, after instances of the illness passed a certain level.

The Cwellyn reservoir was pinpointed as a possible source after a

cluster of illnesses was found in areas who receive their water from

there.

But tests have shown " no detectable problem " with the water, although

it is still being considered as the " most likely source, " and tests

are ongoing, said Mr Walker.

If you follow the advice boiling the water kills the bug

Professor Hugh Pennington

Professor Hugh Pennington, the expert appointed to chair the official

inquiry into the E.coli outbreak in the south Wales valleys this

autumn, said there had been similar outbreaks of illness involving the

parasite in Scotland.

He said the bug can get into the water through sheep droppings or via

leaks in the mains sewerage.

" The chemical way of keeping water safe does not work with crypto, "

said Prof Pennington.

He said the illness caused " unpleasant stomach problems " for most

people although those with immune system deficiencies could suffer

longer term problems.

" If you follow the advice boiling the water kills the bug, " he added.

Welsh Water is checking the Cwellyn water treatment works and has

begun an investigation.

The helpline number for people with questions or concerns is 0845 850

9850. It is open seven days a week from 0900 - 1700 GMT.

November 25, 2005

As usual with this kind of thing, they always play its serious down.............

The Valley Vegan..............heartwerk <jo.heartwork wrote:

Health experts say cases of illness caused by a water-borne parasiteare five times higher in Gwynedd and Anglesey this autumn than in 2004.To date, 72 cases of cryptosporidiosis, have been confirmed, comparedto just 14 in the same period last year.The Cwellyn reservoir near Rhyd-ddu is being investigated as the mostlikely source of the stomach illness.The National Public Health Service has reminded people with lowimmunity to boil their drinking water.Officials said 70.000 people in Gwynedd and parts of Anglesey, whosewater comes from the reservoir, are most at risk.Cryptosporidium is a tiny parasite found in humans and animals. Fullrecovery usually takes about two weeks.The parasite can survive for many months in water and soil.Mark Walker, consultant National Public Health Service for Wales,

atThursday's briefingAs a precautionary measure, we are taking action to reduce the risk topeople with severely impaired immune systemsMark Walker, National Public Health Service for WalesQ & A: CryptosporidiumMark Walker, a consultant with the National Public Health Service forWales described the outbreak as "second league" and stressed onlythose with impaired immunity would suffer complications because of theillness.He said others would suffer "unpleasant diarrhoea and maybe sickness"but with no lasting side effects.Mr Walker added: "As a precautionary measure, we are therefore takingaction to reduce the risk to people with severely impaired immunesystems."During a media briefing on the matter, Mr Walker said that in thefirst instance - two week ago - only those with impaired immunity hadbeen reminded, through their clinician, to boil their water.But now everyone was being told to

take special care with personalhygiene, after instances of the illness passed a certain level.The Cwellyn reservoir was pinpointed as a possible source after acluster of illnesses was found in areas who receive their water fromthere.But tests have shown "no detectable problem" with the water, althoughit is still being considered as the "most likely source," and testsare ongoing, said Mr Walker.If you follow the advice boiling the water kills the bugProfessor Hugh PenningtonProfessor Hugh Pennington, the expert appointed to chair the officialinquiry into the E.coli outbreak in the south Wales valleys thisautumn, said there had been similar outbreaks of illness involving theparasite in Scotland.He said the bug can get into the water through sheep droppings or vialeaks in the mains sewerage."The chemical way of keeping water safe does not work with crypto,"said Prof Pennington.He

said the illness caused "unpleasant stomach problems" for mostpeople although those with immune system deficiencies could sufferlonger term problems."If you follow the advice boiling the water kills the bug," he added.Welsh Water is checking the Cwellyn water treatment works and hasbegun an investigation.The helpline number for people with questions or concerns is 0845 8509850. It is open seven days a week from 0900 - 1700 GMT.