Schools close at base after sickness alert

4:01am Wednesday 12th December 2007

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THOUSANDS of people were warned to boil their drinking water yesterday after the contagious parasite cryptosporidium was found in Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire.

Four schools were also closed as a precaution after traces of the sickness bug was found in the water supply.

All personnel on Europe's biggest Army base and about two thousand civilian residential and commercial properties were affected.

C2C, which provide the water and waste water services on the garrison, told residents to drink only boiled or bottled water until the source of the problem could be identified and work carried out.

Four out of six schools on the garrison were forced to close as they could not provide safe drinking water.

Only Risedale College and Hipswell Primary School remained open.

As a goodwill gesture, Yorkshire Water delivered 1,440 two-litre bottles of drinking water so both schools could stay open.

Dr Ebere Okereke, a consultant in communicable disease control for North Yorkshire health protection unit, advised C2C after tests discovered the parasite.

She said: "We decided that a boiled water notice should be issued to all who live in the affected area and advice provided to GPs.

"We haven't had any cases of cryptosporidiosis reported at any time in the recent past, although the symptoms can take longer than a couple of days to show.

"It is not a significant threat. The people most at risk are those receiving treatment for cancer or HIV."

A spokesman for Defence Estates, which manage all MOD property, said boiled water notices were issued as a precaution and residents should not panic.

He added: "As a result of routine testing, traces of the parasite cryptosporidium, a tiny organism, has been detected in the water supply to Catterick Garrison. The water, therefore, does not meet required standards.

"The notice advises everyone within the affected area to boil all water used for drinking, cleaning teeth, and food preparation.

"Once boiled, the affected water is safe to drink. If anyone has any health concerns, they should contact their GP. Work is under way to restore the quality of the water supply.

"Households and organisations within the affected area will be informed when this is complete."

Information on the incident and regular updates are available on www.c2cservices.co.uk