Several people have been taken to hospital following an outbreak of a parasitic bug contaminating Carlow town's water supply, writes Dara De Faoite.
Residents have been instructed not to drink tap water after a dangerous bacteria, causing severe stomach and bowel complications, was identified.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has recorded a seven-fold increase in human cryptosporidiosis found in Carlow in recent weeks. Six people have so far been taken to hospital.
The symptoms are diarrhoea, severe cramps, fatigue, nausea and a fever.
"People suffering with diarrhoea for more than two days should visit their GP immediately," said Dr Orlaith O'Reilly director of public health with the HSE southeast area.
The HSE has been monitoring an increase in the number of human cryptosporidiosis cases in the southeast since January. HSE tests on the Carlow water had already proven positive for the parasite, Dr O'Reilly said.
