Residents of Espanola who consumed water from that community's local water system earlier this week are advised they might have been exposed to a parasite called Cryptosporidiosis.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts said the Espanola Drinking Water System had an internal mechanical problem at the local water plant between 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 31 and 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1. PHSD said there is the possibility that untreated water somehow entered the drinking water system.
"The issue at the plant has been resolved and the risk is very low that anyone who has consumed this water during the affected times will experience any ill health effects. Water entering the distribution system after 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 1, 2023, has been properly treated," said a news release from the health unit.
Residents who drank any untreated water might experience gastrointestinal discomfort. The health unit said the symptoms of Cryptosporidiosis include:
- Diarrhea (often profuse and watery)
- Abdominal cramps
- Anorexia
- Fever
- Nausea
- General malaise
- Vomiting
Anyone experiencing one or more of these symptoms in the next 12 days should consult a health care provider and notify them of their potential exposure. For more information Cryptosporidium, please visit our website at phsd.ca or call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705-522-9200, ext. 464 (toll-free 1-866-522-9200), said the news release.
“Out of an abundance of caution, Public Health is asking residents to monitor for symptoms of Cryptosporidiosis for the next 12 days,” said Burgess Hawkins, a manager in Public Health Sudbury & Districts’ Health Protection Division.
“As an added precaution, residents should flush their water lines if they have not been used. If residents had boiled their water at a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to consumption, they would not be at risk,” said Hawkins.
