400 sick: Now the water is chlorinated in Nousis, Finland

(Something may be lost in translation; thanks to our Scandanavian correspondent for passing along these stories.)

About 400 people in Nousis, Finland — a town of 4,800 — fell as a result of contaminated drinking water.

The municipality’s health authorities state that the situation was worst 23-27 January when more than 50 cases were recorded every day. The number of new cases has decreased steadily.

Last weekend, a ban on drinking water was introduced.

A leakage has been found to be behind the epidemic; the leak caused sewage and drinking water to mix.

Last night, chlorination of the water pipeline began. Day care centers, schools, retirement homes and health centers are in the first place in a hurry for redevelopment, and on Tuesday the chlorination of the water to households begins.

In tests taken by people who have fallen ill after drinking the municipality’s water pipeline, at least noro, sapo and astroviruses have been found.

Some of the patients had had two different viruses.

Individual cases of ETEC and EHEC bacteria and of the bacterium Plesiomonas shigelloides were also found in the patient samples.

In water analyzes only sapovirus has been found, and therefore it has not been possible to confirm that the other disease have come from the water.

“I contacted the municipality when the water was grayed out, but they then certified me that it was safe to drink,” said resident Jutta Holmevaara.

“Then it started coming out ‘from both ends.’ It continued as long as I drank the water.

“It took five days before I noticed that they had announced that it was worth boiling the water. I had fever for several days. I still do not feel completely healthy.”

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About Douglas Powell

A former professor of food safety and the publisher of barfblog.com, Powell is passionate about food, has five daughters, and is an OK goaltender in pickup hockey. Download Doug’s CV here. Dr. Douglas Powell editor, barfblog.com retired professor, food safety 3/289 Annerley Rd Annerley, Queensland 4103 dpowell29@gmail.com 61478222221 I am based in Brisbane, Australia, 15 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time