Latest news with #Ecoli
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Saskatoon Farm water warning turns full gastrointestinal outbreak, 235 patients identified
The 'unprecedented changes' to the water quality at Saskatoon Farm, south of Calgary, that caused flu-like symptoms among a number of guests has been officially identified by Alberta Health Services as a gastrointestinal outbreak, 'presumed to be E. coli and amoebiasis.' In a statement issued Friday, AHS officials confirmed there have been 18 lab-identified cases of E. coli, three of which also tested positive for amoebiasis. A total of 235 symptomatic individuals have been connected to the outbreak, along with two recent hospitalizations. One of the patients had since been discharged. While the E. coli strain identified is said to generally go away without treatment, amoebiasis can 'cause gastrointestinal illness and, more rarely, severe infection of the liver, lungs, heart and brain,' even without previous symptoms indicating its presence. It is believed Saskatoon Farm's water system was the source of the outbreak. AHS is asking anybody who dined on the premises between July 1 and 16 to follow established guidelines. After July 17, the farm changed water sources and singularly sold canned or bottled beverages in the wake of the issue. Individuals without symptoms are still asked to call Health Link at 811 'on or after July 30 for amoebiasis screening.' Those who are experiencing symptoms, like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, are recommended to make that call for screening right away. The farm is still selling produce, including their Saskatoon berry namesake. Farm officials say they have worked closely with AHS to ensure their customers' safety. 'Our berries are irrigated using well water and rainfall, which is not connected to the water system that led to the current restaurant closure,' they said in a Facebook reply. 'The water used for rinsing our produce is non-potable, but it has been tested and approved by AHS as a satisfactory water source.' They still encourage those who purchase produce to give a secondary wash thoroughly at home before consumption. The restaurant on site was closed July 23, and will remain so until 'public health inspectors and medical officers of health have deemed it safe to reopen,' AHS said. The front office, gift store and farmers' market stand remain open. 'We are fully cooperating with AHS and are taking all necessary actions to address the situation and work toward a safe reopening in accordance with their directives,' Saskatoon Farm said. With files from Devon Dekuyper. KTulloch@
BBC News
4 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
How clean are north-west England's bathing waters?
An Environment Agency officer wades into the sea at Formby beach."He's sampling for E. coli and enterococci," explains area manager Pete Miles."They're what we call fecal indicators - indicators of the health of the water and the bugs that might make bathers unwell should they ingest them."A total of 20 samples will be taken at this highly popular Merseyside beach this results will be used to produce one of four grades - excellent, good, sufficient or poor."At the end of each bathing water season we look at the results for that year and the previous three years," says Mr Miles."We then make the decision as to the designation for the bathing water for the following year."The Environment Agency (EA) and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) publish results from bathing spots around an area is deemed to have poor water quality, a warning appears on the site to advise people against bathing there. Formby has been designated "excellent" for the past 10 three other areas in the north-west of England currently share that rating - Moreton in Wirral and two in Cumbria - St Bees and Silecroft."You've got about 35 designated bathing waters across the North West," says Simon Holding from United Utilities."85% of those meet 'sufficient' and, of those, there's around about 61% that are actually 'good' or 'excellent' water quality."In Blackpool North and St Annes North, however, bathing is not currently Aitken, from Cleveleys Dippers, says uncertainty over water quality in St Annes affects everyone."Yesterday when it was so hot, St Annes Beach was absolutely full but people are nervous to go in the water."It's sad that our children have to be nervous about going in the sea." Dr Barbara Kneale and Ros Wills, from Fylde Coast Against Sewage, have been campaigning to improve water quality in their part of group has carried out their own regular testing in Fleetwood and St Annes."I think if we had a test that you could just go in and show people on that day, display the results, people would be happy," says Dr Kneale."They can make their own choices and feel confident about going in the water."Also with the sewage, you end up with sanitary products on the beach."I think if you look around here today, you can see we were quite shocked at the amount of litter."In summer, this is going to be a beach full of little children digging in the sand."As a medical professional, it worries me." To improve water quality, Dr Ben Surridge, a senior lecturer in environmental science at Lancaster University, says the UK needs to reduce pollution sources and invest more."Other European countries use a similar system to monitor and classify their bathing waters to the ones we use in the UK."And so across the almost 30 countries in Europe where this system is used, there's obviously variability between individual countries, but on average about 85% of European bathing waters are at the highest status."He says that, in 2024, "only around 65% of bathing waters in England were at the same excellent quality... so there's probably some more work that we could be doing to improve". Read more stories from Cheshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC North West on X.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Form of E. coli, parasite presumed to be culprits in mass illness at Saskatoon Farm food facility
Dozens of people are now believed to have fallen sick after eating at a restaurant at Saskatoon Farm last week, with some people even hospitalized. Alberta Health Services continues to learn more about the nature and severity of a gastrointestinal outbreak at the food facility at Saskatoon Farm. On Friday, AHS said the outbreak is presumed to be the result of a form of E. coli and a parasite called Entamoeba histolytica. 'To date, there have been 18 lab-confirmed cases of E. coli, three of which also tested positive for (Entamoeba histolytica),' the provincial health authority said. 'AHS has identified 235 symptomatic individuals connected to the outbreak and two recent hospitalizations are linked to this incident.' Of the two people hospitalized, Dr. Franco Rizzuti, medical officer of health, said Friday that one has since been discharged, while the other remains under care. The type of E. coli found is Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli, which 'is not toxin-producing and generally goes away without treatment.' AHS said Entamoeba histolytica often has no symptoms, but 'it can cause gastrointestinal illness and, more rarely, severe infection of the liver, lungs, heart and brain.' Rizzuti said the water supply is thought to be the source of this outbreak. He said Saskatoon Farm has since switched to a different water supply. 'AHS is very satisfied that this is safe water on site,' Rizzuti told media on Friday. The restaurant, bakery and red house remain closed. The gift store, clothing boutique, farmer's market and U-Pick orchards are open. The Saskatoon Farm near Okotoks is temporarily closed after multiple diners contracted a gastrointestinal illness last week. The Saskatoon Farm near Okotoks is temporarily closed after multiple diners contracted a gastrointestinal illness last week. Saskatoon Farm posted to its website on Wednesday: 'We are fully co-operating with AHS and are taking all necessary actions to address the situation and work toward a safe reopening in accordance with their directives,' it said. 'At this time, we do not have any information regarding when our food service facilities will be permitted to reopen. 'We will continue to keep our patrons informed as we receive further updates from AHS.' It's believed the illnesses stem from July 15 and 16, specifically, but AHS is looking back to July 1, Rizzuti said, 'out of an abundance of caution.' Anyone who consumed food or drink at the facility between July 1 and 16 and has symptoms is advised to call Health Link at 811 or see their primary care provider. Those with more severe symptoms should consider more urgent care. And those who consumed food or drink at the facility between July 1 and 16 but remain symptom-free are urged to call Health Link at 811 after July 30 for screening. Questions or concerns in the meantime can also go to Health Link at 811.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Lily Lake in Saint John closed after high levels of bacteria found
Lily Lake in Saint John, N.B., is pictured. (Source: The City of Saint John) Lily Lake in Saint John, N.B., has been temporarily closed for swimming. The city says a high sample of E. coli bacteria was found in a recent test done by Public Health. 'Warning signs have been posted and lifeguard services will remain in place at Lily Lake to advise the public and ensure the safety of visitors. The swimming area will remain closed until deemed safe by health officials,' reads a Thursday release from the city. More testing will be done and the city says it will provide updates as they become available. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
High bacteria levels closes local beaches
Lifeguards on duty at Main Beach in Port Stanley, Ont., seen on July 7, 2019. (Brent Lale/CTV News London) A few local beaches have been declared not safe for swimming by area health units. In Huron County, Ashfield, Port Albert, and Goderich Main Beach are under a no-swim advisory. At Little Beach in Port Stanley, a swimming advisory is in place after high levels of bacteria were detected in the most recent water sample results.
