20 Dec 2018

Dozens contracted syndrome linked to bacteria found in rivers

From Morning Report, 7:24 am on 20 December 2018

Nearly 50 people in the past three years have contracted a severe and potentially deadly syndrome linked to a bacteria detected in Canterbury rivers. Fish and Game commissioned independent testing of the Ashley, Selwyn and Rangitata rivers which showed the presence of a bacteria called Shiga toxin-producing E. coli or STEC. It can cause haemolytic uraemic syndrome which damages kidneys and can kill people. Kate Gudsell reports.