More than 100,000 households in Northamptonshire are being told to boil tap water for drinking after a bug was found to have contaminated supplies.
About 250,000 people in Northamptonshire are being told to boil tap water for drinking after a bug was found to have contaminated supplies.
Tests found cryptosporidium in a sample from supplies to Northampton, Daventry and surrounding villages.
Tests found cryptosporidium in a sample from supplies to Northampton, Daventry and surrounding villages.
The parasite causes stomach upsets and the most common symptom is diarrhoea.
The parasite causes stomach upsets and the most common symptom is diarrhoea.
Seventeen schools in the area that rely on tap water for drinking fountains have now shut. Anglian Water scientists are trying to trace the bug's source.
Seventeen schools in the area that rely on tap water for drinking fountains have now shut. Anglian Water scientists are trying to trace the bug's source.
About 250,000 people across 85 communities in the north of Northamptonshire are affected by the contamination.
About 108,000 homes across 85 communities in the north of Northamptonshire are affected by the contamination.
'Days not hours'
'Days not hours'
Anglian Water vans equipped with loudspeakers have been sent out to warn people about the problem.
Anglian Water vans equipped with loudspeakers have been sent out to warn people about the problem.
A spokesman for Anglian Water said: "Due to the size of the area affected, bottled water will only be delivered to special needs customers on Anglian Water's WaterCare register as soon as possible.
A spokesman for Anglian Water said: "Due to the size of the area affected, bottled water will only be delivered to special needs customers on Anglian Water's WaterCare register as soon as possible.
"The outbreak is likely to last days rather than hours but we are not putting a timescale on it until we know more."
"The outbreak is likely to last days rather than hours but we are not putting a timescale on it until we know more."
Supermarkets in Daventry are running out of bottled water because of panic buying.
Supermarkets in Daventry are running out of bottled water because of panic buying.
Mary Ellis, 57, from the Headlands, said: "I went to Tesco this morning and every trolley had bottled water in it.
Mary Ellis, 57, from the Headlands, said: "I went to Tesco this morning and every trolley had bottled water in it.
"The shelves were empty and there was an announcement saying that people could only buy a certain amount of water."
"The shelves were empty and there was an announcement saying that people could only buy a certain amount of water."
'Be vigillant'
'Be vigilant'
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said in a statement: "At present there are no confirmed cases of people who have been infected with cryptosporidium.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said in a statement: "At present there are no confirmed cases of people who have been infected with cryptosporidium.
"The agency has written to local GPs and hospitals asking them to be vigilant for signs and symptoms of cryptosporidiosis."
"The agency has written to local GPs and hospitals asking them to be vigilant for signs and symptoms of cryptosporidiosis."
Homes in Northampton, Daventry and villages must boil water
Homes in Northampton, Daventry and villages must boil water
Symptoms include watery diarrhoea, stomach pains, dehydration, weight loss and fever. The illness can be more serious in people with weak immune systems such as the elderly or very young.
Symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach pains, dehydration, weight loss and fever. The illness can be more serious in people with weak immune systems such as the elderly or very young.
As symptoms are similar to many other infections, the only way to make an accurate diagnosis is from laboratory testing.
As the illness appears similar to many other infections, the only way to make an accurate diagnosis is from laboratory testing.
An outbreak of cryptosporidium in Norfolk last year, caused by floods, affected 6,000 homes and businesses and took nearly 10 days to clear as Anglian Water had to flush out the system.
An outbreak of cryptosporidium in Norfolk last year, caused by floods, affected 6,000 homes and businesses and took nearly 10 days to clear as Anglian Water had to flush out the system.
Drinking fountains
Drinking fountains
Care homes, doctor's surgeries and hospitals in Northamptonshire are priorities for bottled water but some supermarkets are restricting sales to five bottles per family.
Care homes, doctor's surgeries and hospitals in Northamptonshire are priorities for bottled water but some supermarkets are restricting sales to five bottles per family.
Penny Howell, head teacher of Chiltern primary school in New Duston, Northampton, said she decided to close after Anglian Water said they were not able to supply the 200 bottles of water she needed for the 203 pupils until Thursday afternoon.
Penny Howell, head teacher of Chiltern primary school in New Duston, Northampton, said she decided to close after Anglian Water said they were not able to supply the 200 bottles of water she needed for the 203 pupils until Thursday afternoon.
Northampton General Hospital said it was coping with the problem as their kitchens had the ability to boil water for cooking and tap supplies had been isolated.
Northampton General Hospital said it was coping with the problem as its kitchens had the ability to boil water for cooking and tap supplies had been isolated.
Anglian Water advises customers with worries about their health to contact their GP or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
Anglian Water advises customers with worries about their health to contact their GP or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
Do you live in Northamptonshire? Have you been told to boil your water? Or has your child's school been closed as a result of this bug? If you have been affected by the cryptosporidium bug send us your comments and experiences using the form below:
Do you live in Northamptonshire? Have you been told to boil your water? Or has your child's school been closed as a result of this bug? If you have been affected by the cryptosporidium bug send us your comments and experiences using the form below:
