Back to SearchNORTH BAY, ON – The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (“Health Unit”) is advising residents of Carling Township who draw their drinking water directly from the Shebeshekong River to take extra precautions and to boil their water. A beaver dam let go early this morning discharging a significant amount of pond water into the Shebeshekong River. Residents may have an increased risk of contracting Giardia Lamblia (beaver fever).
Residents who draw their drinking water direct from the river are advised to boil their water for one full minute prior to using it for drinking, washing fruits and vegetables, and brushing teeth.
Residents are also reminded that not all home water treatment and filter systems remove Giardia. Only filters with the following labels are designed to remove the parasite:
- Reverse osmosis
- Absolute pore size of 1 micron or smaller
- Tested and certified by NSF–Standard 53 for cyst removal
- Tested and certified by NSF–Standard 53 for cyst reduction.
The Health Unit encourages residents of Carling Township who develop enteric symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, bloating and fatigue to contact their health care provider and seek medical attention.
Residents with questions concerning this issue, can call the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit at 1-800-563-2808 or 705-474-1400 ext. 5400 to speak with a Public Health Inspector.
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Media Inquiries:
Alex McDermid, Public Relations Specialist
P: 705-474-1400, ext. 5221 or 1-800-563-2808
E: communications@healthunit.ca
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