by Damian Dowds and Linda McGrory
THE HSE is investigating an outbreak of E.coli in
south Inishowen. It is understood at least four
people on the Inishowen peninsula have been
hospitalised in recent weeks with symptoms of the
infection. The cause of the outbreak is not yet
known, however, the public water supply has been
ruled out by the authorities.
The E.coli outbreak centres on the Inch area and
involves the serious 0157 strain.
"The HSE can confirm that the Department of Public
Health in the North West are dealing with an ecoli
0157 incident in the Donegal area involving a small
number of people.
"In the majority of cases this is a self-limiting
illness, meaning that the patients get better by
themselves without further treatment.
"The relevant water supply has been tested and to
date all tests have been clear," the HSE said in a
statement.
"The Department of Public Health have carried out
screening of close contacts, as is usual practice,
and have found a small number of people with the
bacteria who are not showing any symptoms. These
people may not get symptoms and if they do, as this
is a self-limiting illness, they will get better by
themselves without further treatment.
"The most effective way to reduce the spread of
germs such as ecoli, colds and other common
illnesses is to practice good hand hygiene," the HSE
added.
Donegal County Council area manager for water in the
Inishowen area, Pat Gillespie, confirmed that the
public drinking water was not the cause of the
outbreak.
"The outcome of our testing shows that any E.coli
sickness has not been caused by the water. The water
has been found to be perfectly healthy and perfectly
clean."
E.coli is a bacteria that causes severe stomach
cramps and diarrhoea. Mild infections may clear up
within a week but more serious cases can lead to
kidney failure or even death. Infection can be
particularly severe in children and the elderly.
The HSE urged people to observe good hand hygiene as
follows:
*Wash your hands with soap and clean water for 20
seconds. If soap and clean water are not available,
an alcohol-based hand hygiene product is
recommended. However, when hands are visibly soiled,
they should be washed with soap and water. |
