General Chat

Hi all
I dont want to alarm anyone but anyone in the area that is affected by the Cryptosporidium should boil their water for at least three minutes. No-one seems to have mentioned that this organism has a tough outer case that is resistant to heat. Young children, the elderly and anyone with a suppressed immune system are particularly vulnerable to this infection.
Animals are just as susceptible to this organism, water courses are quite often contaminated by infected sheep.
Andrea

I think that bottled water in other areas of the country should be taken off he shelves in supermarkets and taken to the area affected. But that's my opinion. I live in cheshire. We don't need it but Northamptonshire folk do.

I've had this bug 2 years ago and it is not very pleasant. I suffered 9 days in total with stomach cramps, wind, diarrohea but oddly not vomiting. I think I got it from my OH who got it from our newly acquired fish tank at the time. The kids caught it too. We all got through eventually although I thought I was going to be ill for ever. I was still able to get on. I knew I had it because I had a sample tested via GP's. I decided we were never going to catch it again so I bought my OH hibiscrub microbial hand wash. The normal antibacterial hand wash isn't as effective. Touch wood we have never caught it again. I hope we never will. To anyone who gets it you have my sympathy. If you think you won't get better you will. I found flat lemonade helped although I ended up drinking it fizzy. Couldn't wait long enough. I couldn't stomach peppermint water. I still felt hungry and I still ate although not as much as usual.

Just some info I read about it. The full cycle lasts a month. It has an incubation period of about 12 days then you feel yuk for the next 10 days and it takes a further few days to leave your system.

Just remember if you catch it you do get better.
Janet

Ann ...

Bottled water is being given to priority cases - hospitals, schools, care homes etc. Already, twenty schools in the area have closed today.

According to AW's website, simply bringing the water up to the boil once in the kettle, saucepan, microwave etc. is sufficient - no need for prolonged boiling!

Penny

The Anglian Water website was updated just after 2.00pm - you will probably get your answers there.

If its not safe for animals then it would be doubtful is children and elderly are safe, apparently there is an at risk register for anyone who is poorly? When did that happen, surely everyone is at risk ?

We have now been told not to give it to animals as well, think Anglian need to start supplying water to all households, not even safe to brush your teeth in. This has not happened overnight!

Penny, if the water is having to be boiled it would be a nice gesture if your water company helped to source bottled water. Is it safe for infants to drink the water even if boiled? Must be a worry for parents.

Ann
Glos

Full details of those areas affected can be found on Anglian Water's website - check the "Alerts" box in the bottom righthand corner of the home page.

Apparently, my local town is already running short of bottled water - so shall take the "easy" option of boiling all drinking water (possibly for the next couple of weeks as this is how long they think it could be before they discover the source).

Information is also coming up on local news bulletins etc.

Penny

PS May also start substituting wine, gin, Pimm's etc.!!!!

People living around Northampton and Daventry are being told to boil all their drinking water. Traces of Crypto Sporidium, which can cause stomach upsets, have been found in supplies to more than 100,000 homes affecting 250,000 people. It is safe though to continue using the water for bathing and flushing the toilet.