Terviseamet leidis Tartumaal joogiveest kolibaktereid
Health Board found coliform bacteria in drinking water in Tartu County
Terviseamet uurib haiguspuhangut Tartumaal. Joogiveest leiti kolibaktereid.
The Health Board is investigating an outbreak in Tartu County. Coliform bacteria was found in drinking water.
The Health Board is investigating an outbreak in the Soinaste, Ülenurme, and Tõrvandi areas of Tartu County. Since Monday, more than 50 people have fallen ill. Among them are both children and adults. The illness usually lasts a couple of days.
Most of the patients have complained of vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. There have also been cases of weakness, abdominal pain, and nausea. The Health Board noted that intestinal virus infections also occur in spring, which can cause similar illness cases.
The Health Board took samples of the drinking water. The first results were received on Friday afternoon. Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria were found. The Health Board stated that these findings do not indicate widespread contamination. However, these bacteria show that something may have entered the drinking water last week.
The Health Board is still determining the exact cause of the infection. Laboratory analyses are still ongoing. The Health Board recommends that people consume boiled tap water. Those who are ill should stay at home. When preparing food, hygiene rules must be followed.
New cases of illness have occurred in families where someone was previously ill. Investigations continue to determine what affected the drinking water quality over the past weekend.