"BOIL WATER ORDER ISSUED"

The Battlefords Health District, the City of North Battleford, Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management and Saskatchewan Health have announced that effective immediately a "BOIL WATER ORDER" has been issued for the City of North Battleford.

All residents and users of water from the municipal system serving the City of North Battleford are ordered to boil their water for three minutes before drinking or use in other food preparation.

The Order replaces the Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory issued on April 25. Information distributed to residents on April 26 still applies.

"We now have new information from the City of North Battleford and Saskatchewan Environment that indicates there was a problem at the City's water plant between March 21 and April 17, 2001, likely resulting in cryptosporidium entering the distribution system," said Medical Health Officer Dr. Gerhard Benade.

More than 100 persons with gastrointestinal symptoms have been seen in the hospital emergency department over the past several weeks. There has also been a preliminary report of many people in the community with mild to moderate symptoms.

"Our top priority is protecting the health of our residents. Therefore we need to take all reasonable measures," Benade said.

Cryptosporidia are microscopic parasites that can live in the intestines of humans and animals. Symptoms include diarrhea, stomach cramps, upset stomach and a slight fever. Some people have no symptoms.

The Order will remain in effect until the water treatment process and distribution system is determined to be providing safe potable water.

The Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory for the Town of Battleford will continue until further notice.

Battlefords Health District, Saskatchewan Health, Saskatchewan Environment and the City of North Battleford are working together to ensure the safety of the water and to protect the residents of the communities.

For more information contact:

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MEDIA RELEASE/PUBLIC ADVISORY BATTLEFORDS HEALTH DISTRICT

"Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory Issued"

Battlefords Health District, Saskatchewan Health, and Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management (SERM) have issued a PRECAUTIONARY DRINKING WATER ADVISORY for the City of North Battleford and Town of Battleford.

All residents and users of water from the municipal systems of the city and town are urged to boil their water for three minutes before drinking or use in other food preparation.

The advisory is issued in response to confirmation Monday, April 23 and Tuesday, April 24 by the Provincial Laboratory in Regina of Cryptosporidium in fecal samples from residents of Battlefords Health District. A total of 10 cases have been confirmed. The Health District was first notified of a case of Cryptosporidiosis on the Easter weekend. The total increased to three cases by April 23, and now stands at 10.

Cryptosporidia are microscopic parasites that live in the intestines of humans and animals. Symptoms of Cryptosporidiosis include diarrhea, loose or watery stool, stomach cramps, upset stomach, and a slight fever. Some people have no symptoms.

Crypto can be spread through water or food, or by contact with the feces of infected persons or animals. The source of the contamination is not yet known.

In previous outbreaks elsewhere in Canada, water has been identified as a common source of infection. For that reason and in a proactive approach to guard public health, the precautionary drinking water advisory is issued.

The advisory will remain in place until we have evidence to confirm or exclude our water supply as the source of infection.

Battlefords District Health, Saskatchewan Health, SERM, the City of North Battleford, Town of Battleford and Health Canada are working together to identify the source and resolve the problem as quickly as possible.

For more information, contact:

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PUBLIC INFORMATION CONTACT NUMBERS

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FACT SHEET ON CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS

Cryptosporidiosis is the disease often called "crypto" caused by the parasite cryptosporidium parvum.

Cryptosporidium infections can be caused by swallowing only a small amount of cryptosporidia through contaminated water or food. It can be spread through fecal-oral transmission by feces of an infected person or an object that has been contaminated with the infected person's feces. The illness that results is an infection of the bowel. The first symptoms may appear 2 - 10 days after a person becomes infected and they will normally last for about 2 weeks or less although some individuals may recover then get worse again.

Not everyone who is infected will feel sick. If symptoms do occur they may include:

• watery diarrhea
• stomach cramps
• nausea
• vomiting and mild fever

Anyone can get Cryptosporidiosis. Those at greater risk are:

• People in close contact with children or adults who have cryptosporidiosis.
• People who drink open water from lakes, rivers or ponds that has not been properly treated.
• Children in child care centres.

There are no prescribed antibiotics for this illness but some medications can lessen the severity of the symptoms.

To prevent the infection:

• Drink or consume only boiled water. Water must be boiled for three minutes before use. Purchased bottled water may also be used. Do not drink water directly from lakes, rivers, streams or other such surface water supplies unless boiling the water first for three minutes.
• Use boiled water for drinking, brushing teeth, making ice, cooking food and washing dishes.
• Wash all fruits and vegetables before eating with boiled or bottled water. Drink only pasteurized milk and pasteurized apple cider. Do not eat unpasteurized milk products.
• Avoid swallowing water when bathing, showering, swimming, especially in pools, lakes, ponds or rivers. Avoid going to public pools if you have diarrhea.
• Maintain good personal hygiene and frequent hand washing.
• Wash hands thoroughly with warm soap and water after going to the washroom. Dry hands thoroughly as well.
• Wash hands thoroughly after changing diapers or whenever fecal soiling occurs.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after contact with pets.
• Disinfect dishes by washing in dishwashing machines that have a dry cycle or a final rinse that exceeds 113 ° F for 20 minutes or 122° F for five minutes or 162° F for 1 minute.
• Avoid sexual practices that may result in hand or mouth exposure to feces.
• Avoid direct exposure to cattle or other farm animals and if exposed wash your hands thoroughly immediately thereafter.

Most people with a healthy immune system will recover on their own. If you have diarrhea, drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. If you have a severely weakened immune system, consult with your health care provider.

• after any contact with animals;
• after any contact with soil (e.g. gardening);
• after changing diapers; and
• before eating, or preparing food.