Delays and confusion in Northern Ireland's crypto outbreak

Health authorities and the Water Service in Northern Ireland have been criticised by doctors and the public for failing to act swiftly to stem a waterborne outbreak of cryptosporidiosis which has affected thousands of residents in parts of Belfast and Lisburn. The evidence shows the response was hampered by analytical delays and officials' error in interpreting a regulatory treatment limit as a safety level. Meanwhile, North West Water has released details of its plans to improve water treatment (see box ) following several waterborne outbreaks of the disease in recent years.