Wellington: The New Zealand government launched an inquiry today into the contamination of a regional water supply that has left thousands of people sick with vomiting and diarrhoea.
The outbreak of campylobacter bacteria, a form of gastroenteritis, has affected around 3,000 people, officials said.
About half of those are in the town of Havelock North on New Zealand's North Island, about 250 km (155 miles) northeast of the capital Wellington, where schools have been closed and medical facilities overloaded.
Such outbreaks are rare in New Zealand, where tap water is usually safe to drink. Officials said chlorine was being hastily added to the water supply for North Havelock and the surrounding region.
The government said the investigation into the incident would focus on the causes of outbreak and the response.
The outbreak of campylobacter bacteria, a form of gastroenteritis, has affected around 3,000 people, officials said.
About half of those are in the town of Havelock North on New Zealand's North Island, about 250 km (155 miles) northeast of the capital Wellington, where schools have been closed and medical facilities overloaded.
Such outbreaks are rare in New Zealand, where tap water is usually safe to drink. Officials said chlorine was being hastily added to the water supply for North Havelock and the surrounding region.
Advertisement
The government said the investigation into the incident would focus on the causes of outbreak and the response.
© Thomson Reuters 2016
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Kolkata Rape-Murder: Fractures, 150 mg Semen, Other Claims Denied By Cops Life On Earth Originates From One Ancestor, Older Than Previously Believed Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah To Be Prosecuted In Land Scam Case 17 Palestinians Killed In Israeli Strike On Gaza Amid Raging War Tips For Navigating The Ivy League Admission Process Watch: Air Force, Army's Daring Paradrop Of World's 1st Portable Hospital Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.