70,000 people told to boil water

Water should be boiled and allowed to cool before use

All users of the Cwellyn water reservoir near Rhyd Ddu in Gwynedd are being told to boil their water.

The notice, from the National Public Health Service for Wales, came after cases of a stomach bug caused by a water-borne parasite rose to 87.

Two people are believed to be recovering after being hospitalised with the bug cryptosporiosis.

Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor and Eryri Hospital in Caernarfon have confirmed they will now be using bottled water.

The general warning to boil all water before use came from Dr Mark Walker on behalf of the outbreak control team.

Stronger evidence

"There is now stronger evidence linking cryptosporidiosis with the Cwellyn Reservoir," said Dr Walker.

"We cannot say for certain what the cause of the outbreak is but we are taking precautionary action on this basis.

"We know that bringing water to the boil will kill the cryptosporidium parasite," he added.

Investigations into the cause of the outbreak are ongoing and the advice to boil water could be in place for five to six week - experts then hope either to have isolated the cause or that the outbreak will come to an end.

The boil water notice covers the following areas:- Bangor, Beaumaris, Beddgelert, Bethania, Bethel, Betws Garmon, Bontnewydd, Caeathro, Caernarfon, Carmel, Cwm y Glo, Dinas, Ffridd Uchaf, Gaerwen, Groeslon, Llanddaniel, Llandegfan, Llandwrog, Llandygai, Llanfaes, Llanfaglan, Llanfairpwll, Llangoed, Llanrug, Llanwnda, Menai Bridge, Nantmor, Penyffridd, Plas Gwynant, Pont Aberglaslyn, Pont-rug, Rhosgadfan, Rhostryfan, Rhyd-ddu, Seion, Vaynol Hall, Waunfawr, Y Felinheli.

The bug causes unpleasant stomach problems for most people although those with immune system deficiencies could suffer longer term problems.

Dr Phil White, a GP with surgeries Menai Bridge on Anglesey and on the mainland urged people to follow advice given to boil water to prevent the infection being passed on.

"It's (the infection) quite unusual - one or two cases a year maximum we would see which is why we were aware immediately when we had two cases that there was a problem," he said.

"The effects are quite variable, some people are just sort of inconvenienced almost, others quite severely ill who take to their beds with a profuse diarrhoea which can come and go for up to three weeks.

"Boiling water is a very sensible step. If it has been identified as the source of the infection then this is a very sensible precaution.

"The cysts are destroyed by just boiling the kettle once, you don't need to continuously boil it, just bring it to boiling point."

He said that although there was no treatment for those who caught the bug, it would pass through the system in time. He urged people to carry out stringent hygiene measures such as hand washing.

Brian Gibbons, Minister for Health and Social Services told the Welsh assembly on Tuesday afternoon that at present the source of cryptosporidium within the reservoir catchment had not been established but investigations were currently centred around Rhyd Ddu Sewage Treatment Works.

The helpline number for people with questions or concerns is 0845 850 9850. It is open seven days a week from 0900 - 1700 GMT.