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2024.06.11
3.7 Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson of the Minister for the Environment regarding testing for E. coli (OQ.110/2024)
Will the Minister advise how many people and animals were tested for potential E. coli (Escherichia coli) infection after entering the water in and around Grève de Lecq, following the detection of high levels of E. coli during May; and of those tested, how many were found to have tested positive for E. coli infection or any infection linked to the potential presence of E. coli?”
Deputy S.G. Luce of Grouville and St. Martin (The Minister for the Environment):
I am not aware of any Islanders that were tested, but I can confirm that no cases of waterborne illnesses in humans have been reported since 1st May in association with waters in and around Grève de Lecq. In accordance with the Loi (1934) sur la Santé Publique, e-coli infection would be potentially notifiable depending on the clinical presentation and associated patient history. In regard to animals, in Jersey, E. coli is not a notifiable disease or reportable pathogen in animals. It is important to note that E. coli can live in the digestive tracts of livestock without causing them an ill health and may be shed in their faeces. The carriage of many harmful bacteria such as E. coli, campylobacter and salmonella by herds or flocks cannot be visibly detected by farmers or vets. The animal health and welfare team have therefore not tested any animals, livestock or pets for E. coli. We have not had any reports or concerns from private vets who attend to and treat livestock in Jersey and certainly no reports of a large number of unwell or dead livestock.
3.7.1 Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson :
I am grateful to the Minister for that answer. Is the Minister aware then anecdotally of any cases, as I am, of people, including families, who did report illness after swimming in the sea in the days before the testing which identified the high levels of E. coli and where there are reports, for example, on social media of animals getting sick, have they been looked into or have those individuals been approached by staff from his department?
Deputy S.G. Luce :
I am not aware of any of those reports myself but I am sure that the inquiry which is being conducted at the moment will certainly review all that evidence and take it into account when it comes to its findings.