PUBLIC HEALTH
NORTHAMPTON/DAVENTRY WATER ALERT UPDATE
It is now being reported that it could be weeks before the water supply in Northamptonshire returns to normal and it is estimated over 100,000 properties and some 250,000 people are continuing to boil their drinking water in order to get rid of the bug.
Customers are being advised to listen to regular updates which are being given through the local media and to continue with boiling their water until they receive an all clear card from Anglian Water.
Anglian Water are continuing with their extensive investigations of the Pitsford Water Treatment Works for the source of the Cryptosporidium.
Pay-out goes to water bug victims - click here to read article
E.Coli lawsuit to 'batter' Wrexham chippy - click here to read article
- Can be caused by infected water coming through your water supply.
- Is caused by a parasitic protozoa (single celled animal) called cryptosporidium parvum.
- The incubation period is 2-12 days, so symptoms may not start to show immediately.
- Symptoms include diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, fever, headaches and weight loss. Many infected people display no symptoms and do not appear to be ill.
- In certain circumstance can be fatal to people with certain immune deficiencies.
- Is highly infectious, but usually resolves within 2-3 weeks.
- Can lead to long term symptoms, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
- Is transmitted via the faecal/oral route, usually in water or by touch.
Our Expertise
Since 1997 we have been involved in three major outbreaks:
1. Three Valleys Action Group, which dealt with the North London water claims (Pictons represented over 450 clients);
2. Lancashire Action Group (individual claims resulting from water contamination);
3. North Wales Action Group (we are currently representing clients following an outbreak in North Wales in November 2005).
How we can help you
After an initial consultation, during which we will assess your claim and gain a clearer understanding of your circumstances, you will be sent a free Information Pack, containing information about your specific matter, how we can help you and a detailed questionnaire for you to fill in.
If you wish one of our team members to contact you, please complete our ONLINE CLAIM FORM.
What the press said...
1998
Mike Neale, from regional law firm Pictons, added that he had won up to £2,000 compensation from the water company for each customer hit by cryptosporidium. Three Valleys Water issued notices to 325,000 homes and businesses warning customers to boil water for drinking, washing teeth and cooking. The "boil notices" were in force for two weeks, and later £10 compensation was paid to each household affected. But many who became ill are still fighting for more. Commercial customers received nothing.
2005
Lawyers at regional law firm Pictons said they were representing 26 people, the vast majority of whom were confirmed as having contracted cryptosporidium.
Mike Neale said: "If Welsh Water deny responsibility they have to explain to us why. They may well deny liability and, in that case, I would urge all solicitors to come together and launch a group litigation".
"It is more than likely it all came from one source, and the company has a responsibility to make sure the water that goes to its customers is clean and safe".
Mr Neale said previous cryptosporidium victims in other parts of Britain received between £1,500 and £3,000 each.
2006
Mike Neale, from regional law firm Pictons, said previous cryptosporidium victims in other parts of Britain received between £1,500 and £5,000 each.
Lawyers acting on behalf of the 31 people said that a year on from the outbreak, four of them were still ill.
Mr Neale said he had written to both Welsh Water and the Drinking Water Inspectorate almost a year ago and because his clients' questions have not been answered, they have issued legal proceedings.
He said: "They want some answers. The clients were quite ill as result of the cryptosporidium. We are acting on behalf of some elderly people and some very young children."
"The compensation could range from £1,000 to £9,000 plus possible additional claims for loss of earnings".
Welsh water have indicated that they will consider dealing with the claims following the publication of the Outbreak Controls Report in December 2006.
2009
Pictons continue to act for a number of people following this outbreak. These include people with IBS (irritable Bowel Syndrome) related problems. In one case a client has had to undergo a number of operative procedures (all of which are related to the outbreak). Damages for these clients are to be expected to be larger than those mentioned above.
- E.Coli O157:H7 bacteria are believed to live mostly in the intestines of cattle, but have also been found in the intestines of chickens, deer, sheep, goats and pigs.
- While the majority of food borne outbreaks associated with E.Coli O157:H7 have involved ground beef, some have been connected to unpasteurised apple and orange juices, unpasteurised milk, alfalfa sprouts and water. An outbreak can also be caused by person to person transmission of the bacteria in homes and settings such as day-care centres, hospitals and nursing homes.
- Symptoms include the sudden onset of abdominal pain and severe cramps, followed by diarrhoea within 24 hours. Vomiting can also occur, but there is usually no fever. The incubation period for the disease (from the ingestion of the bacteria to the start of the symptoms) is typically 3-9 days, although shorter or longer periods are not unusual. An incubation period of less than 24 hours however would be unusual. - In most infected individuals, the intestinal illness lasts about a week and resolves without any long-term problems.
- Although most people recover from an E.Coli O157:H7, Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) is a severe, life threatening complication of an E.Coli O157:H7 bacterial infection.
Our Expertise
Since 1999 we have been involved in major outbreaks, including:
1. North Cumbria E-Coli Action Group (from a total of 114 individuals reported to the Outbreak Control Team, 88 had laboratory confirmed E.Coli 0157. Twenty-eight people were admitted to hospital, including three children). Pictons helped over 28 people in dealing with their claims, including children;
2. Leeds E-Coli Outbreak (2006).
How we can help you
After an initial consultation, during which we will assess your claim and gain a clearer understanding of your circumstances, you will be sent a free Information Pack, containing information about your specific matter, how we can help you and a detailed questionnaire for you to fill in.
If you wish one of our team members to contact you, please complete our ONLINE CLAIM FORM.
What the press said...
Financial compensation is possible for victims of E-Coli cases, according to Mike Neale from Pictons, a regional law firm that has previously dealt with compensation for E-Coli cases in Cumbria and also for cryptosporidium, an illness caused by a water-borne bacteria, in Lancashire.
But Mr Neale, who specialises in multi-party actions such as food poisoning cases, said there would have to be a clear case for a claim, something not yet established in the E-Coli 0157 cases found in Eccleston this week.
He said: "It may be in this outbreak that there is nobody to blame; that is certainly possible in E-Coli cases. But cases in the past have been caused by meat not being stored properly or someone not washing their hands and bacteria have somehow crept into the food".
- Salmonella is a type of bacteria usually found in poultry, eggs, unprocessed milk, meat and water. It may also be carried by pets like turtles and birds.
- The salmonella bacteria attack the stomach and intestines. In more serious cases, the bacteria may enter the lymph tracts, which carry water and protein to the blood, and the blood itself. The bacteria attack all age groups and both sexes. Children, the elderly and people who are already ill are more likely to get a serious infection.
- The symptoms are usually diarrhoea or constipation, headaches, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever. Less serious infections carry fewer symptoms. Most mild types of salmonella infections clear up in 4-7 days without requiring any treatment other than rest and plenty of liquid.
- A more severe infection may cause excessive diarrhoea, stomach cramps and general health problems. In such cases, treatment with antibiotics may be necessary and a doctor should be consulted.
Our Expertise
Since 1999 we have been involved in many different outbreaks, including acting for a group of people who fell ill after eating chopped liver bought from a deli in North London.
How we can help you
After an initial consultation, during which we will assess your claim and gain a clearer understanding of your circumstances, you will be sent a free Information Pack, containing information about your specific matter, how we can help you and a detailed questionnaire for you to fill in.
If you wish one of our team members to contact you, please complete our ONLINE CLAIM FORM.
