'Superbug' alert is sounded - LancasterOnline

A deadly superbug being called a "nightmare bacteria" is circulating in Lancaster County, and federal health officials are urging hospitals and nursing homes across the country to protect their patients from it.

"This is going to be a big problem as we move into the future," said Dr. Neil Greene, chief of Lancaster General Health's infectious disease division. "It is going to be a potential major public health threat."

The superbug is actually a family of germs that are difficult to treat because they're highly resistant to a group of antibiotics called carbapenems, which often are used as a last resort to treat serious infections. The germs are referred to as carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae, or CRE.

Federal health officials refer to CRE as a triple threat. The germs are resistant to all or nearly all antibiotics. They also have high mortality rates, killing up to half the people who get serious infections with them.

Most chilling, perhaps, is that the bacteria can spread their resistance to other bacteria, jumping from bug to bug, so a bug that causes pneumonia can transfer antibiotic resistance to a bug that causes urinary tract infections.

MORE HERE:

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/826979_-Superbug--alert-is-sounded.html

On the subject of security . . .

In a recent newspaper article HERE, Dave Lewis, general manager of the Columbia Water Company, is quoted as saying "they" are going to review the security at the Water Company site where the water storage tanks are located.  A good place to start might be the boundary between Laurel Hill Cemetery and the Water Company's property.  Currently, there is no fence or any other barrier between the properties to keep unauthorized people out.

State DEP deems Columbia water safe - LancasterOnline

GO HERE:
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/826636_State-DEP-deems-Columbia-water-safe.html

Drinking Water Problem Corrected

Please note that the Do Not Consume Advisory has been cancelled and it is now safe to drink and use your water for all purposes. The DEP test results indicated that no contamination occurred. For more information about this public notice, visit our website at www.columbiawaterco.com to read the entire public notice or call 1-877-407-2808 to hear this message again.

GO HERE FOR MORE INFO:
http://www.columbiawaterco.com/emergency-notice.php

Columbia schools closed as investigation of water-plant break-in continues - LancasterOnline

Updated Mar 15, 2013 12:11

Columbia Borough School District was closed Friday while the state continued testing the community water supply for possible contaminants.

A "Do Not Consume" order issued to about 8,700 customers after a break-in at a water plant overnight Wednesday remains in effect.

The school was closed as a precaution, said Jeff Helm, health officer and zoning and planning officer for the borough.

Helm said he advised school district Superintendent Barry Clippinger Thursday night that water fountains would be off limits and food workers would have to use bottled water if the schools stayed open.

"Hand washing at this point," Helm added, "it's all questionable."

Helm said Friday morning that the state Department of Environmental Protection was checking for a wide array of potential foreign substances.

MORE HERE:
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/826461_Columbia-schools-closed-as-investigation-of-water-plant-break-in-continues.html

It could get worse

Let's hope not, but here's an update from ABC 27 News.
(The link to the original article, which has more information, is at the bottom of this post.)
We've heard the bad news, now here's the (potential) worse news:

If the water is found to have been contaminated, the tanks will need to be sterilized or replaced, which could take several more days if not weeks.

Columbia Borough schools were closed Friday in light of the advisory.

While the advisory is in effect, the company is providing tankers of water, which are stationed at the Columbia Shopping Plaza and the Columbia Shopping Center. Residents will need to bring their own containers to carry water.

Tap water should not be used for drinking, cooking, food preparation, oral hygiene, or for pets until further notice, officials said. If ice cubes were made with tap water before 3:30 p.m. on March 13 they should be thrown away.

The water can be used for sanitary purposes such as bathing and washing but not for washing dishes.

http://m.abc27.com/default.aspx?pid=2705&wnfeedurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.abc27.com%2fstory%2f21651469%2fcolumbia-water-do-not-consume-advisory-enters-2nd-day%3fclienttype%3drssstory

UPDATE: Possibility of contamination has Columbia residents filling up on bottled water - CBS 21 News

UPDATE: Nearly 9,000 water customers in Lancaster County are not allowed to consume their water even if it's boiled. However, officials now say it is safe to bathe and wash clothes.

Columbia Water Company issued the ban saying the water may have been contaminated after someone broke into one of the water storage tanks The ban is affecting Columbia, Mountville and parts of Manor Township.

Because of this schools and offices in Columbia School District are closed today as is Columbia Child Care and Learning.

Officials say tests will be done to see if the water is safe - but that could take a few days. In the meantime water buffaloes have been set up so people can bring their own containers and take as much water as needed.

http://www.whptv.com/news/local/story/UPDATE-Possibility-of-contamination-has-Columbia/Jg8DvIR03Emh8QIwX4ejaQ.cspx