ALBANIA: Several hundred people seek medical help after suspected poisoning of town's water supply
Record ID:
561581
ALBANIA: Several hundred people seek medical help after suspected poisoning of town's water supply
- Title: ALBANIA: Several hundred people seek medical help after suspected poisoning of town's water supply
- Date: 14th May 2010
- Summary: BALLSH, SOUTHERN ALBANIA (MAY 12, 2010) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF TOWN WOMAN AND HER CHILDREN ENTERING LOCAL HOSPITAL SIGN WRITTEN IN ALBANIAN, READING: "BALLSH HOSPITAL" PEOPLE QUEUING TO SEE DOCTOR / WOMAN WITH CHILD ENTERING DOCTOR'S OFFICE ILL BABY CRYING MOTHER HOLDING BABY WHILE DOCTOR CHECKS ON BABY'S HEALTH VARIOUS OF DOCTOR TREATING BOY PEOPLE WAITING TO BE EXAMINED AT HOSPITAL / WOMAN IN PAIN LYING IN BED (SOUNDBITE) (Albanian) ILL WOMAN, JETA SELIMAJ, SAYING: "I have a horrible pain in the stomach, I have a sore throat, I feel dizziness. I must stay in this position and I don't feel like talking." OFFICIALS VISITING PATIENTS (SOUNDBITE) (Albanian) OFFICIAL WITH ALBANIAN MINISTRY OF HEALTH, GAZMEND BEJTJA, SAYING: "These days we are facing an epidemic outbreak, or gastrointestinal outbreak, inflicting a considerable number of people in the town of Ballsh. The space and time frame of these events is evidence the water supply could be the source of the infection." MAN SITTING NEAR ILL WOMAN (SOUNDBITE) (Albanian) ILL WOMAN, ELVIRE ALIAJ, SAYING: "We are ill, very ill, especially the children. We can't continue like this, we've been here three times." PEOPLE NEAR AMBULANCE VAN PIPES AT CITY'S WATER SUPPLY / MAN WORKING PIPE LEAKING WATER VARIOUS OF WATER GUSHING OUT OF PIPE VARIOUS OF PEOPLE CARRYING BOTTLED WATER
- Embargoed: 29th May 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Albania
- Country: Albania
- Topics: Health
- Reuters ID: LVA2Y4RFWM9Z0EL2Q4ERQ2LF5L2
- Story Text: More than 500 people have been hospitalised in the small southern town of Ballsh in Albania after suffering symptoms of poisoning.
Authorities issued a statement on Thursday (May 13) saying the cause of the infection is thought to be the town's water supply.
Since the epidemic outbreak, almost four days ago, the small hospital in Ballsh has been packed with people seeking medical attention, many of them referred for treatment from other hospitals in Albania.
"I have a horrible pain in the stomach, I have a sore throat, I feel dizziness. I must stay in this position and I don't feel like talking," said 56-year-old Jeta Selimaj, while laying in a hospital bed.
Doctors said affected residents suffered symptoms associated with poisoning, such as stomach ache and diarrhoea. Many were sent home after treatment.
"We are facing an epidemic outbreak, or gastrointestinal outbreak, inflicting a considerable number of people in the town of Ballsh. The space and time frame of these events is evidence the water supply could be the source of the infection," said Gazmend Bejtja, an official with the Albanian Ministry of Health.
Local media reported sewage had mixed with the town's water supply and the infection was caused by the E. Coli bacteria (Escherichia coli).
"We are ill, very ill, especially the children. We can't continue like this, we've been here three times," said Elvire Aliaj, who was being treated at the hospital.
The Ballsh mayor's office ordered a doubling of the amount of chlorine used by the water processing plant.
Meanwhile, residents have stopped using the town's water supply, turning to bottled water, in fear of further infection. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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