Walkerton, Ontario, Canada – An outbreak of E. coli caused by contamination
of the water supply has killed five and hundreds of people in this southern
Ontario town have been sickened in the outbreak of E. coli caused by
contamination of the water supply. According to some residents a slow
response from the local water utility worsened the problem.
Last Thursday, an elderly victim died, said Dr. Murray McQuigge, health
officer of the Grey-Bruce region west of Toronto. The deaths of three
elderly adults and a baby were reported Wednesday. Severe cases of E. coli
infection can cause kidney failure, with young children and the elderly the
most vulnerable.
Cases of bottled water were distributed for free at the community center to
5,000 residents of this town set in farm country 90 miles west of Toronto.
Mayor David Thomson of the Brockton municipality that includes Walkerton
said the Public Utility Commission knew of the contamination as early as May
18 but neglected to immediately notify health authorities.
Officials blame the recent flooding caused by heavy rain which may have
contaminated the town’s water supply. Thomson admitted that the chlorinating
unit on one of the two main wells pumping water had only been working
sporadically.
The province’s deputy chief coroner, Dr. Jim Cairns, was investigating the
causes of death, and said more people could die as a result of the
contaminated water. Probe of fatal E. coli outbreak expands as Ontario
Provintial Police was called to start a criminal investigation.
