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Galway Advertiser 2007/2007_05_03/GA_0305_E1_004.pdf
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www.galwayadvertiser.ie
May 3 2007
Children under 10 most affected by contaminated water
BY MARY O'CONNOR Children under 10 years are the group most affected by the country's biggest outbreak of the diarrhoeal illness cryptosporidiosis in Galway, a leading expert outlined this week. Dr Diarmuid O'Donovan, the Health Service Executive West's public health director, said while all age groups and equal numbers of males and females were affected by the severe tummy bug caused by Galway's contaminated water supply, most of those affected were under 10. He explained children are more susceptible to the illness and can become very unwell. "It is worrying. You don't want very sick children to pick it up." The majority of people who contracted the condition either live in the city or have contact with it through work, school or socialising, he outlined. He told a press conference at Merlin Park Hospital on Monday there were 210 laboratory confirmed cases of cryptosporidiosis in the city and county since January 1. However, international estimates indicate the real figure could be at least five to 10 times the laboratory confirmed figure, he said. Dr O'Donovan stated 40 (24 children and 16 adults) were hospitalised. Most were admitted for one to two days but a small number (fewer than 10) have been seriously ill. Three children were treated in national children's hospitals. Fifteen cases were recorded in the week ending 29 April, a slight increase on the previous week, he said. "This made us concerned that people may be drinking the water." He said that about three people may have acquired cryptosporidiosis while they were patients in Galway hospitals. They may have drunk the water before the "boil water" notice was introduced. The public health director stressed that the"boil water" alert remains in place. "We once again reiterate that it is essential that people in the affected areas continue to boil water intended for drinking or food preparation. If you are unsure of the source of your water supply, it is advised to boil your water as a precautionary measure. "The "boil water" notice will not be lifted until (1) There is a marked decline in human disease: that is a return to at least the low levels usually seen at this time of year, for several weeks (at least two incubation periods ie four weeks (2) There is effective water treatment to remove cryptosporidium - according to Galway City and County Councils this will be 7th-15th June for Luimnagh and 15th June at earliest for the city. (3) There is clean water, safe for human consumption, assurance that the system is robust and that the water is of acceptable quality." He said this will take at least two to four weeks after completion of the engineering works but it could take considerably longer. Patients with ongoing diarrhoea or who have concerns about their symptoms should contact their family doctor, the HSE recommended. " It is important that a patient would contact their GP before attending the A&E department. They should continue to drink plenty of boiled or bottled water."
Council to give out free bags
To encourage and make it easier for Galwegians to recycling empty plastic water containers, the Galway City Council began distributing free clear bags this week. Two bags will be provided per green bin and will be distributed in conjunction with the green bin service. The full clear bags will then be collected, free of charge, with the green bin, as part of Galway City Council's refuse collection service. Plastic bottles should be squashed to reduce bulk before being placed in the green bin or in the clear bags. In addition, a container will be provided at the city council depot at Liosbaun Industrial Estate from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays for collection of plastic bottles for recycling.
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