Health expert calls for closure of all schools without water

ALL schools without water should close, and people should continue to wash their hands to prevent the spread of swine flu, a public health expert has warned.

Dr Elizabeth Keane, the HSE South’s director of public health, was speaking at a media conference in Cork called by the management committee of the crisis team responding to the flood emergency.

Some 18,000 homes on the city’s northside are expected to be without water for at least a week.

While some northside schools have indicated they will close until Wednesday, both Dr Keane and city manager Joe Gavin urged all schools without water to close until the crisis is over.

Meanwhile, Christ King, the largest girls’ school in Cork, confirmed it will remain closed until Wednesday at the earliest.

Dr Keane said: “Hand washing is going to be more difficult, if there isn’t water coming from taps, but people should continue to remember to wash their hands – use bottled water or water from a tanker or wipes or a sanitiser.”

Dr Keane also stressed the importance of keeping babies hydrated. She urged people who use water to make up baby formula to bring it to a rolling boil, and leave it cool, covered, for no more than 30 minutes before use.

But she warned people using bottled water for the feed to be aware that some natural mineral water may have high sodium content.

“Look at the label for sodium or [Na’ and check its level is not higher than 200mg a litre,” she said.

Dr Keane also issued the following advice:

* Water used for cooking should be boiled before being used to wash vegetables.

* If people decide to boil water, they should follow precautions, boil small amounts, and use a kettle rather than a pot or pan.

* If people must use a pot or pan, they should boil small amounts and be careful if children are around to prevent accidents.

* Toilets do not need to be flushed after urination. If toilets are being flushed, the cistern should be full. Other sources of recycled water, like that collected from rain water, can also be used for flushing.

Dr Keane said it is important that people conserve water. “It is important that there is cooperation between people who have water and those who don’t.“If people develop symptoms, or are unwell, they should make contact with their GPs. Obviously our hospitals are busy, but people should be practical and sensible about it.”