ECUADOR: MORE THAN 1,000 PEOPLE FALL ILL FROM CONTAMINATED WATER IN THE CITY OF IBARRA AFTER WATER FROM LOCAL FARMS INFECT THE PURIFICATION SYSTEM.

Record ID: 647932

  • Title: ECUADOR: MORE THAN 1,000 PEOPLE FALL ILL FROM CONTAMINATED WATER IN THE CITY OF IBARRA AFTER WATER FROM LOCAL FARMS INFECT THE PURIFICATION SYSTEM.
  • Date: 9th November 2002
  • Summary: (U7) IBARRA, ECUADOR (NOVEMBER 9, 2002) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. GV/PAN: OF IBARRA CITY 0.11 2. VARIOUS: WATER PURIFICATION PLANT. (2 SHOTS) 0.20 3. SCU: WATER FLOWING THROUGH FAUCET. 0.27 4. CU: HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM SIGN 0.31 5. GV/EXTERIOR: OF HOSPITAL 0.33 6. VARIOUS: OF SICK PATIENTS. (3 SHOTS) 0.47 7. SCU: (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) RELATIVE OF VICTIM, MARIAN HERRERA, SAYING: "The crisis began in the early morning hours and we were taking all the precautions." 0.54 8. VARIOUS: OF SICK PATIENTS. (3 SHOTS) 1.11 9. SCU: (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MAYOR OF IBARRA, MAURICIO LARREA SAYING: "During a storm in the higher area of Ibarra there was flooding. This damaged a pressure tank and caused the introduction of the contaminated water, water not fit for human consumption. The repairs took about 12 hours." 1.41 10. GV: CITY STREET 1.46 11. SLV: WOMAN FILLING UP JUG WITH WATER 1.52 12. SV/ZOOM IN: SICK PATIENT RECEIVING INJECTION. 2.00 13. SV/TRACK: SICK MAN ARRIVING AT HOSPITAL 2.17 14. SCU: (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) DOCTOR PATRICIO MIETO,SAYING: "There are about 1,500 people affected that showed symptoms. We will not be able to tell all those affected because the symptoms might not appear in some cases. 2.31 15. CU: SICK BOY 2.35 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 24th November 2002 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: IBARRA, ECUADOR
  • Country: Ecuador
  • Reuters ID: LVAJ88KTRTYL18C10P8PNXWFG2Z
  • Story Text: More than 1,000 people have fallen ill in an
    Ecuadorean city infected by contaminated water after
    purification systems were apparently flooded with dirty water
    from local farms, officials said.



    According hospital authorities, a 2-year-old girl died
    from gastroenteritis --a bacterial infection that causes fever
    and diarrhea-- earlier this week in the Andean city of Ibarra,
    44 miles (70 km) north of Ecuador's capital Quito.

    Authorities believe drinking water was contaminated when a
    ditch carrying water from farms, possibly containing cattle
    feces, flooded part of the water system during a storm.

    "During a storm in the higher area of Ibarra a ditch
    flooded. It flooded a pressure break tank and caused the
    introduction of the contaminated water, water not fit for
    human consumption.

    The repairs took about 12 hours," said
    Ibarra's mayor, Mauricio Larrea said on Saturday (November 9).

    Local hospitals reported having received 1,084 cases of
    the infection in the past week, which led local authorities to
    declare a sanitary emergency and shut off drinking water.

    "There are about 1,500 people affected that showed
    symptoms. We will not be able to tell all those affected
    because the symptoms might not appear in some cases," said
    Doctor Patricio Mieto.

    City officials said they ordered schools canceled as about
    600 children were sick.

    Technicians were working to purify the water for this city of 109,000 people.


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