Health scare goes on as water is contaminated

THE public water supply in a rural area of West Limerick, where a potentially deadly form of gastroenteritis triggered a major health scare this week, has been found to be contaminated.

Limerick County Council yesterday launched a major investigation to establish the cause of contamination in the Kilfinny Group Water Scheme.

The water scheme services the Ballingarry area, where a young person was hospitalised and found to be suffering from the gastroenteritis bug e.coli 0157.

Seven other residents in the Ballingarry area have also tested positive from the e.coli 0157 outbreak but are being treated by their GPs.

Medical experts warn that such a strain of gastroenteritis can cause kidney failure and is extremely dangerous, particularly when it affects young children.

The acting director of public health in the Mid- West, Dr Tessa Greally, and a medical team from the HSE Mid West have been screening residents in the area for the past few days.

A local crèche decided to close, voluntarily, until the source of the bug was traced.

GPs in the area have been asked to maintain a “high index of suspicion” on any cases of diarrhoea, especially blood-related diarrhoea.

Households connected to the local group water scheme have been warned not to drink from the supply. The move followed the announcement by Limerick Country Council of positive test results and confirmation the supply was contaminated.

Engineering and environmental staff from the local authority were yesterday trying to identify the source of the contamination.

Locally-based Cllr Tom Neville, whose home is connected to the Kilfinny supply, said: “The council told us on last week that the quality of the water was not suitable for drinking. Then, a subsequent test suggested the water was clear, but further testing last Wednesday found the water unfit and people were told to stop drinking it.”

With the county council having recently announcement a planned major upgrade scheme for group water projects, Cllr Neville said the Kilfinny scheme must now be given priority.

The e.coli 0157 was reportedly discovered after a child from the Ballingarry area, suffering from another illness, was transferred from the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick to Temple Street Children’s Hospital in Dublin.

While people who test positive may not show any symptoms, the health service said it was anxious to ensure potential sufferers are not working in the food-related industries.

Residents have been asked to take extra hygiene precautions.