People have taken as little as twelve hours and up to ten days to show symptoms which is the bacteria's incubation period. In small children and elderly people there is an increased risk of contracting HUS(Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome), which is the cause of kidney failure. Approximately seven to ten percent of people infected with E. Coli will develop HUS.
There have been eleven hospitalized, five of them being children listed in critical condition. A pediatric specialist has been quoted as saying that unfortunately, "these children seem to be failing". The outbreak has taken the lives of five people, including a two year old child. To assist the families of the victims, an account has been set up with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and will be accepting donations across Canada.
The debate over the source of this outbreak is in full swing. Opinions seem to be hovering around a severe storm washing the bacteria into the water supply, or the water company operating with malfunctioning equipment. A full inspection is being conducted at the town's water supplier.
The largest complaint of the town seems to revolve around their lack of awareness of the contamination. Officials apparently were aware of the problem days before the town was notified. Criminal negligence is being investigated by the Ontario Provincial Police and it is rumored that class action suits are in the making. In the meantime, the Ontario Clean Water Agency has stepped in and are going about flushing and conducting inspections in the area's wells.
A "boil-water" advisory has been issued to the town of Freelton just days after the outbreak in Walkerton. Officials visited the residents door to door advising them of the precautions. The town's officials suspect this to be a localized event, but this does little to alliviate the fears after the deaths in Walkerton. It is uncertain if any illness will be a result of the findings in Freelton, but it is not expected. As extra precaution, the town has increased the chlorine levels and have flushed their systems. It is reported that this advisory will not be suspended until after the weekend testing is complete. Until this outbreak has been controlled, uncontaminated water is being provided to both areas.
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