Latest news with #E-coli


Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
Belfast Zoo remains closed for second day due to issues with water supply
Yesterday the zoo announced it would be closed on Sunday and Monday citing 'essential maintenance', but further details were confirmed in a social media post this morning. "Belfast Zoo will remain closed today (Monday 28 July) due to a maintenance issue with our water supply,' a spokesperson said. 'Our keeper team is on-site as usual, caring for all animals and ensuring they have everything they need.' Any customers who had booked tickets for these days have been advised to get in contact with the zoo to reschedule or request a refund. 'We apologise for any inconvenience caused,' the spokesperson added. It comes after the facility was shut for several days in June after a small amount of E-coli was detected in the water on site. Speaking at the time, a Belfast City Council spokesperson said E-coli was detected in a water sample taken during a routine inspection 'The Zoo has been closed to visitors today as a precautionary measure while we work with the NI Environment Agency and the council's own environmental health team to carry out additional sampling,' they said. Watch: Story of how Belfast Zoo's baby elephant was kept in backyard of house during Second World War Blitz 'The safety of our visitors and animals remains our top priority, and we hope to reopen the Zoo for visiting as soon as possible. The Zoo's dedicated team remain on site today and are continuing to care for the animals.'


Belfast Telegraph
4 days ago
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
Belfast Zoo closed for ‘essential maintenance'
Belfast Zoo has announced it will be closed on Sunday and Monday for 'essential maintenance'. Posting on social media on Sunday afternoon, a spokesperson advised any customers who had booked a ticket for these days to get in contact to reschedule or request a refund. 'We're sorry for any inconvenience,' the spokesperson said. It comes after the facility was shut for several days in June after a small amount of E-coli was detected in the water on site. Speaking at the time, a Belfast City Council spokesperson said E-coli was detected in a water sample taken during a routine inspection 'The Zoo has been closed to visitors today as a precautionary measure while we work with the NI Environment Agency and the council's own environmental health team to carry out additional sampling,' they said. 'The safety of our visitors and animals remains our top priority, and we hope to reopen the Zoo for visiting as soon as possible. The Zoo's dedicated team remain on site today and are continuing to care for the animals.'


Tom's Guide
11-07-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
Filthy water bottle? Here's how to clean it the right way
I have a kitchen cupboard dedicated to the best water bottles, and I don't think my family is alone in our obsession with them. There's one for work, one for the gym, and one for days out. And every time I open the cupboard door, at least one water bottle tumbles out. While my water bottle cupboard could use a declutter, the bottles could also benefit from a deep clean. However, I get stuck on knowing the best way to clean the water bottles and then keeping them that way. So, I set myself the task of discovering the best way to clean a water bottle and maintain its cleanliness. A self-cleaning water bottle? Yes, that's right! The LARQ Bottle PureVis is a self-cleaning and insulated stainless steel water bottle with a UV water purifier. It sanitizes water and cleans the inner surface of the bottle by neutralizing bacteria such as E-coli. It either works at a touch of a button or self cleans every two hours. What's more, it offers double-wall vacuum insulation to keep your cold water chilled for 24 hours and hot for 12. I know that an unclean water bottle can be a health hazard, because every time you take a sip of water, or whatever concoction you prefer to drink, you are leaving behind bacteria. While it may seem easy to give your bottle a quick rinse through at the end of each day, it is simply not enough, even though it may look clean to the naked eye. Another major problem I have is preventing mold growth, whether inside the bottle itself, within the threads that secure the lid, or around the lid and mouthpiece. It's one nasty that needs to be banished. Mold has a fondness for warm and damp places where it will thrive and spread tiny spores into the air. It's considered a health hazard, so if you spot mold in your water bottle, you need to clean it out. But how do you spot it, as it's not always visible with the naked eye? Mold could be lurking in your water bottle if you notice an unpleasant musty smell, the water appears cloudy, you spot a residue or film on your water bottle, or the water tastes unpleasant. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. If you notice any of these signs, be sure to give your water bottle a deep clean to remove mold. Top tip I always leave my water bottles lid-free, to prevent any moisture from being trapped inside and causing a build-up of mold. To avoid the buildup of mold and prevent contaminating your drinking water, wash your water bottle daily and ensure it dries completely. You don't need to give it a deep clean every day, but you should wash it in hot water and dish soap to remove any bacteria, especially around the mouthpiece. If cleaning isn't your thing, opt for a water bottle that is dishwasher safe. However, do check which rack it can be washed on, as it will probably have to be placed on the top rack. Another top tip is to look for a water bottle with a simple design. Check out the lid and mouthpiece. If it has lots of intricate parts, it will be more difficult to keep clean. So, look for a bottle with a wide mouth, such as the HydroFlask 24oz Wide Flex Straw Cap Bottle, currently reduced to $30 at Amazon. My son owns this bottle, and I'd buy it just for the funky logo alone! Smooth materials, such as stainless steel or BPA-free plastic, will also make your job easier. You can even enhance your cleaning prowess with a bottle featuring a UV light that does the cleaning for you, such as LARQ's Bottle PureVis, which is currently reduced in some colorways to $69 at Amazon. You simply press a button to activate the light and wait a few seconds for it to sanitize your water. Apart from investing in a water bottle that's easy to clean, you could try a drying rack designed specifically for water bottles. How about Kuppy's Silicone Bottle Drying Rack that's $19 at Amazon?


Time of India
04-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
City sees spike in gastro cases amid monsoon onset
Kolkata: An outbreak of viral fever and gastrointestinal diseases, with symptoms of stomach upset often worsening into diarrhoea, has struck Kolkata over the last week, within days of the Covid outbreak fading. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Cases of severe diarrhoea, typhoid, and shigella have also been reported across private hospitals. The number of patients suffering from stomach infection-related fever has gone up by 10%-15% in the last four days, according to some city clinics and hospitals. "The symptoms range from mild stomach discomfort to severe gastroenteritis with high fever persisting for three-four days. We have been receiving five-six patients with stomach-related ailments daily on average since last week. These include senior citizens, some of whom suffered severe electrolyte imbalance due to fluid loss triggered by diarrhoea. We admitted a few since it's necessary to monitor the electrolyte level and ensure the right fluid replenishment under supervision," said Charnock Hospital emergency head Nishant Agarwal. "We received around five patients with hepatitis A in the last week. Typhoid and gastrointestinal diseases rise around the onset of monsoon, often due to consumption of contaminated water. That apart, cases of severe diarrhoea have been on the rise. This will continue till the rain turns more consistent," said Sayan Chakrabarty, infectious diseases physician, Manipal Hospitals. "We are seeing a variety of gastrointestinal infections, ranging from viral gastroenteritis to bacterial infections like E. coli and salmonella that cause diarrhoea, fever, and stomach pain. Common symptoms include nausea, watery or bloody diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, fever, and dehydration," said Shiv Ratan Pathak, consultant gastroenterologist, BP Poddar. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Last week, we had six admissions. Drinking safe water and good hygiene are essential," said Supriyo Chakrabarty, group adviser, BP Poddar. "We detected several diarrhoea and typhoid cases, some very severe, over the last few days. Several pathogenic strains of E-coli have also been detected along with a few shigella cases. We also found campylobacter jejuni and vibrio cholerae in multiple cases with gastrointestinal symptoms," said Peerless Hospital microbiologist Bhaskar Narayan Chaudhuri. Techno DAMA Hospital has treated five to six young adults and kids with diarrhoea, fever, bloating, and stom-ach cramps. E. coli, rotavirus, amoebiasis, and a few salmonella and Shigella cases have been detected along with a few cases of typhoid. "We mostly treat by using ORS. Zinc supplementation can also help reduce the duration and severity of episodes. In bacterial infections, antibiotics may be prescribed," said MS Purkait, medical superintendent, Techno India DAMA Hospital.


Hindustan Times
28-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
75-yr-old dies of diarrhoea, over dozen taken ill in Rajouri's Sakri
Jun 28, 2025 10:35 PM IST A 75-year-old woman with co-morbidities died of diarrhoea and over a dozen were taken ill in Rajouri's Sakri village, prompting health authorities to send a team of doctors to the village on Friday, said officials. Chief medical officer of Rajouri, Dr Manohar Rana said that 75-year-old Vidya Devi died Saturday morning around 4.30 am. 'The patient had co-morbidities of hypertension with diabetes,' he said. (HT File) Chief medical officer of Rajouri, Dr Manohar Rana said that 75-year-old Vidya Devi died Saturday morning around 4.30 am. 'The patient had co-morbidities of hypertension with diabetes,' he said. Principal of the Government Medical College, Rajouri, Dr AS Bhatia informed that since Friday, a total of 26 patients with gastroenteritis were hospitalised at the district hospital. 'Four with acute renal failure had to be sent to the GMC Jammu because we don't have nephrologist in Rajouri hospital. Two patients, who had improved, left on their own. Fourteen others have recovered fully and were discharged. For now, we have six patients in the Rajouri hospital, who are being treated.' 'We had sent a team of doctors which screened the villagers and also collected water samples from the village,' he added. 'During monsoon, gastrointestinal infection is the most common disease found across the country in rural areas because people rely on rivers, rivulets and springs for water. E-coli is the most common bacteria that causes diarrhoea. The people in Sakri village are also affected by gastroenteritis,' he said. The health department has also attributed the outbreak to water contamination after was found in water samples from the area.