Egypt Daily News – Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, addressed the emergence of E. coli bacteria in drinking water in Aswan, which has led to gastrointestinal infections among residents.
The minister attributed the contamination primarily to the mixing of drinking water with sewage. Dr. Abdel Ghaffar explained that E. coli can cause a range of gastrointestinal issues, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems, leading to symptoms such as severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting.
The duration of these symptoms can last between one to five days, and there is potential for person-to-person transmission, highlighting the importance of maintaining personal hygiene to prevent infections.
He reassured the public that the situation is expected to resolve completely within a week. During the conference, he reported that the first cases of gastroenteritis in Aswan were noted on September 16, with a total of 480 hospital visits recorded, mostly mild cases.
A total of 168 cases required hospital admission, and 36 patients remained in intensive care due to chronic health problems. The minister indicated that the average number of hospital visits in Aswan is relatively low compared to the governorate’s population.
Dr. Abdel Ghaffar stated that a collaborative working team, including representatives from the Ministry of Housing and local authorities, has been formed to further investigate the sources of the gastrointestinal infections. Medical convoys with essential medications have been dispatched to affected areas, particularly Abu Rish and Daraw.
In terms of water safety, he reassured attendees that the drinking water in Aswan is being rigorously tested and complies with safety standards, owing to a governance system that involves multiple ministries and a complex system ensuring water quality under normal conditions.
He emphasized that the situation is under daily monitoring by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and clarified that the government has been transparent in its communication regarding the health crisis, countering misleading information spread on social media.
The current occupancy rate in hospitals remains around 37%. Engineer Sherif El-Shorbiny, Minister of Housing and Urban Communities, added that there are 108 water stations in Aswan, all of which meet required specifications.
He confirmed that 92% of the villages in the area have access to sewage services. Ongoing efforts are being made to inspect and secure the internal water networks in homes to ensure compliance with safety standards. Regular monitoring and random sampling of drinking water quality are part of the government’s strategy to safeguard public health.
