Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 29 Jun 1999

Vol. 507 No. 2

Written Answers. - E.Coli Infection.

Nora Owen

Question:

136 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of incidences of E-coli found in the water supply of all hospitals and care institutions in the past five years; if E-coli was found a few years ago in St Ita's hospital, Portrane, County Dublin; the actions, if any, taken in any institution following the discovery of E-coli the number of staff and patients who became ill as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16374/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The table below outlines the number of incidences of E-coli found in the water supply of hospitals and care institutions in the past five years: Eastern Health Board – two; Midland Health Board – none; Mid-Western Health Board – six; North-Eastern Health Board – two; North-Western Health Board – 16 *; South-Eastern Health Board – none; Southern Health Board – three; Western Health – three.

*Due to the time constraints the North-Western Health Board is not in a position to provide figures for the period requested, the figures above relate to the period 1996 to 1998 only. I have requested that the board respond directly to the Deputy on the matter.

A contamination of water, which proved not to be E-coli was discovered, in September 1989 in St. Ita's hospital, Portrane. The water supply in the affected area was shut down and a process of chemical cleansing was undertaken. Tests were carried out on the water supply which proved negative to E-coli contamination.

In each case of contamination all necessary measures to protect public health were put in place where appropriate. The actions taken included the cleaning of water tanks, flushing out of water systems with chlorinated water followed by the taking of repeated water samples. There are no records of any reported illnesses among staff or patients linked to the reported incidences.