Abkochgebot extended because of coli bacteria

Abkochgebot because Colibakterien continues to apply in parts of Thuringia

07/12/2012

The Abkochgebot of tap water was extended in the Erfurt area. Although there have been no noticeable findings of Colibakterien more since Tuesday, but also no all-clear can be given, so the message of the provider ThüringenWasser (ThüWa). According to the managing director Andreas Reinhardt opposite „MDR Info“, The so-called Abkochgebot may be maintained until the weekend by the health authorities. It would have to wait until the initiated countermeasures, such as the increased chlorine, showed effect. That could take a few more days.

Showers despite intestinal germs harmless
Last Monday intestinal bacteria were discovered during routine checks in the drinking water of Erfurt and some communities in the districts Sömmerda and Gotha. The ThüWa responded with a warning to the population. So tap water, which is used for the preparation of drinks and food should be previously boiled at least five minutes in a pot. From a heat in the kettle should be waived. Showering and washing with the affected water is not a problem, but to brush your teeth should be used mineral water. The warning is still valid at least until Thursday, 18 o'clock.

First, the hospitals were informed about the germs in the water. However, homes and kindergartens learned of the contamination from the media. The carriers explained that all facilities had now adjusted to the recommendations for using the water. Hotels and restaurants would now also boil their water, so that the guests would fear no problems. Coffee machines with direct connection to the tap water would currently no longer be used, according to the industry association ThüHoGa.

Intestinal bacteria also in the district of Sömmerda and in the Unstrut-Hainich district
The contamination of drinking water with bacteria whose cause is still unknown, had widened on Wednesday to the district of Sömmerda and the Unstrut Hainich circle. The warning was therefore extended almost to the entire district Sömmerda and the community Kutzleben, as a spokeswoman for the district office announced. Previously, only the southern part of the district with about 75,000 inhabitants had been affected.

Meanwhile, the warning of the coli bacteria in tap water applies to about 280,000 citizens in Greater Erfurt. In order to kill the bacteria, an increased amount of chlorine is added to the water, which may cause water turbidity in central and northern Thuringia. However, according to ThüWa this is not dangerous. So far, no diseases that are due to the contaminated water, have become known by the medical profession.

Search for source of coli bacteria in the water
According to information from the Thuringian long-distance water supply, the entire water supply network is currently being examined again for possible sources of E. coli. So far, however, no germs have been found. The burden of water is limited exclusively to the Erfurt area. However, a "bacterial finding" is present for the Ohratalsperre itself. From there comes a large part of the drinking water for central and northern Thuringia. Further germ data would be available for six measuring points along the long-distance water pipelines.

Coliform bacteria can primarily cause intestinal and urinary tract infections. Those affected suffer from nausea, vomiting and inflammation. The infection is mainly due to the direct or indirect oral intake of fecal traces. A transfer from person to person is possible. Patients are usually treated with antibiotics.

Since coliform bacteria occur in the human and animal intestines, it is suspected that the contaminated water in the Erfurt area may have been contaminated with animal excreta. In a bacterial infection patients suffer from convulsive abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea and vomiting. (Ag)

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Image: Sebastian Karkus