Walkerton Ecoli Flashcards
When did the Walkerton e. coli outbreak occur?
May 2000
Where did the Walkerton e. coli outbreak take place?
Walkerton, Ontario, Canada
What caused the Walkerton e. coli outbreak?
Contaminated water supply
How many people were affected by the Walkerton e. coli outbreak?
Over 2,300
What strain of e. coli was responsible for the Walkerton outbreak?
O157:H7
What were the symptoms experienced by those infected with e. coli during the Walkerton outbreak?
Severe abdominal cramps, diarrhea, vomiting
What was the main source of contamination in the Walkerton water supply?
Manure from nearby farms
How did the e. coli bacteria enter the water supply in Walkerton?
Through a well that was not properly sealed
What was the role of heavy rainfall in the Walkerton e. coli outbreak?
Heavy rainfall washed manure into the water supply
What was the impact of the Walkerton e. coli outbreak on the community?
Several deaths and long-term health effects on survivors
How did the Walkerton e. coli outbreak lead to changes in water management regulations in Ontario?
New legislation and stricter testing requirements were implemented
What was the response of the Ontario government to the Walkerton e. coli outbreak?
A public inquiry was launched to investigate the causes and consequences
What was the role of the Walkerton Public Utilities Commission in the e. coli outbreak?
Negligence in water treatment and monitoring
How did the Walkerton e. coli outbreak impact public trust in the safety of drinking water?
Significantly decreased trust and increased awareness of water quality issues
What lessons were learned from the Walkerton e. coli outbreak?
Importance of proper water management, monitoring, and communication