Parents fear 'bug in water'

2:20pm Thursday 6th December 2001

A CHILD infected by a parasitic bug in St Albans has sparked fears of a potential epidemic about to sweep the district.

Two-year-old Roberto Cellele, who attends a city nursery, has been diagnosed with cryptosporidium, a virulent organism which causes gastroenteritis.

His is the second confirmed case at the nursery in the last two months.

A massive outbreak of the bug, caused by contaminated water, hit the district in 1997 and many people fear a repeat episode.

Roberto's father Mr Selim Cellele, of Edward Close, is a research scientist and qualified doctor. His wife, Barbara, also works as a scientist.

The couple are forced to pay for private child care while their son is infected with the bug.

Mr Cellelle, who fears the bug may be water borne, said: "What I'm worried about is that it is a one-off and one baby could infect another or it could be the beginning of a new outbreak.

"I took two of my son's samples to the GP and they found the bug in the sample. He's a strong boy but in some cases it could be dangerous.

"It could easily pass from child to child because children are not careful about what they touch.

"The nursery told me there were two other children with diarrhoea.

"It is possible that one of the children got it from a farm animal and passed it onto other children.

"But another possibility is that it comes from the water."

Mr Cellelle has contacted his water supplier, the department for environmental health at St Albans District Council and Hertfordshire Health Authority with his concerns.

He added: "Three Valleys said it would be a waste of time to come to our house and check the water.

"They said they were 100 per cent sure it was not in the water.

"They say it is safe because they have online monitoring, but that doesn't always detect it.

"All they have to do is come and take water samples and say: 'Look your water is safe' and we would have peace of mind.

"They say it would be a waste of money but what are we talking about here health or money?"

Common symptoms of Cryptosporidium, which has no known cure, are diarrhoea, stomach cramps, fever and vomiting for about a month.

A spokesman from the water company, which supplies the district with drinking water, said: "Three Valleys Water continuously monitors all water supplies in its area.

"And, as a result, the company can reassure customers in St Albans that the water is perfectly safe to drink.

"In 1999 the Government watchdog for water, the Drinking Water Inspectorate, introduced stringent new regulations to all water companies to test for cryptosporidium.

"As thorough testing is carried out at our sources, it is not necessary to carry out further tests for cryptosporidium at individual properties."

Meanwhile, a Hertfordshire Health Authority spokesman warned parents to keep children suffering from diarrhoea away from nurseries.

She said: "We are aware of two cases of cryptosporidium among children who attend the nursery.

"We have no evidence that the cases are linked and they occurred several weeks apart."