(ThePatriotWire)- Following routine testing, the city’s water supply in Cape Coral, Florida, contained intestinal bacteria E. coli in two locations. Residents were advised not to drink the water.
According to the local radio station WGCU, a notice to boil drinking water has been issued for all City of Cape Coral Water Utility customers throughout the city, affecting 190,000 people. Residents should either use bottled water or boil their water for longer than one minute to kill any E. coli before consuming it, according to city officials.
To eradicate the virus, officials claimed Monday night that they had cleansed problematic plants and increased chlorine consumption. Within 72 hours, they hoped to find a solution.
Local schools are receiving bottled water and hand sanitizers, and cafeteria staff has been instructed to “follow necessary boil notice protocols to ensure food is safe for ingestion,” they stated.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, E. coli can lead to illness, diarrhea, renal failure, and death in the most severe cases. Children and people with compromised immune systems are most at risk from the virus.
The City of Cape Coral Water Utility has issued a citywide boil water notice for all of its customers due to the presence of E. coli bacteria in two different tests, the city’s government announced in a statement.
Before the advice is rescinded, we encourage residents to boil water for one minute or switch to bottled water. Water used for drinking, cooking, creating ice, cleaning dishes, and brushing teeth are covered by this notice.
Showers and washing clothes in tap water “are not restricted by the boil water advisory,” according to the city website.
Authorities in Cape Coral did not disclose which two locations the E. coli bacterium was found.
The Florida Department of Health reports that there are typically 59 E. coli infections in Florida each year. In contrast to other bacterial diarrheal illnesses, which can be more severe, patients usually report no or very low fevers.
Microbiologist Professor Anna Yeung-Cheung of Manhattanville College in New York state told WGCU authorities needed to move fast.
It’s not a nice thing. They must look into it. It takes a lot of effort. Particularly in coastal cities. In particular in Florida,” she added.
“The amount of work required to find out what it is can take years. But they must truly figure it out,” Yeung-Cheung added about the infection’s origin.
Twenty-nine people were affected by an E. coli outbreak in Michigan and Ohio last month, and nine required hospitalization.
Due to E. coli concerns, ground beef distributed in seven states was recalled in July. The oldest known E. coli sample was taken from an Italian corpse that had been mummified in the 16th century that same month by an international team.
