Families ill after outbreak of e.coli
Water supply suspected
Published:
UP TO 15 people – including children – were this afternoon being treated for e.coli after an outbreak of the bug near Aberdeen.
Seven cases have already been confirmed with a further eight people showing symptoms.
Public health chiefs have launched an investigation.
They believe the source is a shared private water supply to eight homes in South Auchinclech, near Westhill.
The e.coli bug can be a killer for young children and the elderly but NHS Grampian refused to say what age range of people had been struck down.
A spokesman said: “The numbers involved are so small, we are concerned about identifying the individuals.”
Three victims were reportedly taken to hospital.
Auchinclech resident Jonathan Hamblett, 42, said the symptoms – which include diarrhoea and vomiting – appeared about two weeks ago.
He said: “My wife Aileen had it very bad for over a week and she is still seeing the doctor. She hasn’t eaten anything for the last six days.
“She has been pretty much in her bed. My three-year-old daughter has been confirmed positive but she’s not showing any symptoms.”
Lynne Taylor, 35, said her family have been affected including her daughters Olivia, 6, and Sophie, 5.
She said: “My husband has had it for over a week and my daughters have had it also. They’ve had bad stomach cramps.”
E.coli has been described by NHS Grampian public health consultants as “an important and serious infection” with “a small but significant degree of mortality”.
Aberdeen-based Prof Pennington, pictured, a world expert in e.coli, said the source of the contamination was likely to be cattle manure.
He said: “There is quite a strong possibility it got washed into the water supply by heavy rain.
“The water purification system probably got overwhelmed.”
E.coli can lead to complications which can occur several days after the main symptoms have appeared.
Prof Pennington said: “Most people get better completely but there can be complications with the kidneys.
“They don’t work too well or they are turned off.”
E.coli can also affect the heart and the brain.
Prof Pennington said: “Once somebody’s been affected, we’ve just got to keep our finger crossed.”
All householders have been advised to boil their water before drinking or using it for preparing food.
Aberdeenshire Council has provided advice on measures to protect the water quality.
Anyone with diarrhoea or vomiting symptoms should be careful with their hand hygiene and not return to work or school until 48 hours after their symptoms have settled.
