Well users warned of E.coli risk

Rural households using private wells were tonight warned of the dangers of a virulent E.coli bug after twice the average number of cases were reported this year.

Following persistent summer rains, health experts believe the bacteria is being washed into the ground and polluting family water sources.

A total of 139 cases of the E.coli strain have been recorded this year compared to an average of around 70.

The bug, Verotoxigenic E.coli (Vtec), causes severe bloody diarrhoea, but in children under five and the elderly it can lead to kidney failure.

Dr Darina O’Flanagan, director of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, said well users should consider boiling water.

“There is evidence that the increase in Vtec cases may be linked with record rainfall this summer and use of private well water,” she said.

The HSPC said the bug may be identified in boiling water if it changes colour, smells or tastes differently – but this is not definitive.

Vtec can cause severe bloody diarrhoea and abdominal cramps and patients recover within 5 to 10 days but vulnerable people risk complications with haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), in which red blood cells are destroyed and the kidneys fail.

HUS occurs in up to 10% of child cases.

Dr Flanagan said 11 children had suffered the complication this year.

“Fortunately we have had no deaths, but these are very serious illnesses and we have had cases where people have had to get blood transfusions or dialysis,” she said.

The HSPC has urged farmers and rural householders drawing water from wells to check the walls and fencing around them are watertight.

The E.coli bacteria is carried by animals and deposited in faeces, but if there is a lot of rain or run-off it may end up in water systems.