National Institute: We identified certain bacteria in Decani that give indicators for water contamination

The National Institute of Public Health has revealed that in water samples obtained on the 12th. 07. 2021 from the Decani region have been identified with bacteria that may provide indicator of drinking water.

From this institute, they have recommended increasing the control of the Sanitary and Health Inspection for raising the level of reporting cases and accuracy of data for patients.

Full announcement:

Microbiological examinations in samples accepted by patients with signs of gastroinstinal lesion infection are continuing to detect various viral, bacterial and parasitic pathogens.

On July 11th, 2021 by QKMF Director in the Decani municipality, it has become known that a number of residents have sought medical assistance at the QKMF Decani with health complaints, stomach and vomiting. Shortly after receiving the news on the ground, teams of the Regional Public Health Centre in Pec have emerged and taken drinking water samples from the water supply network, which supplies these villages with water for drink.

Within the day, in co-ordination with the Ministry of Health all necessary measures have been taken for field research and identification of the infection source. After taking water samples, physical-chemical and microbiological tests have been conducted. These tests have resulted in the allowed borders in line with parameters defined by the UA 16/2012. Test results proved that there are no remains of resinal chlorination until microbiological water tests answered UA 16/2012 water standards.

Meanwhile, KPS institutions in the decana have been offered medical assistance to all affected citizens. The trigger's laboratory research has continued in the field and in microbiology and QLT labs at IKSC.

In the water samples taken by the 12th. 07. 2021 from the Decani region, following cultivation in nutrients through the MALDI-ToF identification technique at IKKPK Pristina's labs, several bacteria have been identified that can provide indicator of drinking water. Microbiological examinations in samples accepted by patients with signs of gastroinstinal lesion infection are continuing to detect various viral, bacterial and parasitic pathogens.

IKKPK teams from all regions of Kosovo continue to work on the ground by working intensively on finding the cause of the epidemic outbreak. The epidemiological situation and sonaration are under continued control, by the National Institute's monitoring teams and any change in the epidemiological situation will result in new recommendations.

Recommendations:

To increase the control of the Sanitary Inspection and Health for raising the rate of reporting cases and accuracy of data for patients;

To increase the control of sanitation and environmental in identifying illegal keys to the water supply network;

In the absence of water from the water network to ensure hygienic water for drinks from the canal company's tank to normalising the situation in all villages in the Decani municipality, whether or not they have suspicious cases with gastroinstinal symptoms;

The supply of water for drink, and food;

It is recommended that water be used only for household and hygiene until the new recommendation;

The public water company reinforces control and regularly disinfects water and increases the inspection of water resources, surveillance control and water wells, and in each individual case intervenes immediately as necessary;

The pipeline will supply citizens with hygienic water for normal-time drinking, to prevent contaminant and prevent hydric epidemics;

Regional water pipeline teams unlock sewer nodes, find the weak points on the network, where water is mixed with sewers and septic pits;

Let's strictly forbid the keyage of the wells (carriers) in the watershed network;

Provided help for all ill patients.