An official with Kashechewan First Nation in northern Ontario says 63 community members have now tested positive for cryptosporidium, with test results showing water from the treatment plant has also tested positive for the parasite.
Chief Hosea Wesley declared a state of emergency this month after treatment plant stopped working
Listen to this article
Estimated 1 minute
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
The executive director of Kashechewan First Nation says 63 people from his community in northern Ontario have tested positive for cryptosporidium, a parasite that causes gastrointestinal illness.
This month, Chief Hosea Wesley declared a state of emergency after the local water treatment plant stopped working due to defective pumps.
Since then, many members of the community have been flown out.
Executive director Tyson Wesley says test results show water from the treatment plant has tested positive for cryptosporidium but it remains unclear how the parasite got into the plant.
Wesley said the community will request that an independent engineer do a full assessment to determine next steps.
