Gastroenteritis outbreak in Triunfo, Guatemala

An outbreak of gastroenteritis has involved 14 of the 16 Canadian missionaries (Guatemala Hope) in the village of El Triunfo. The bottled water consumed by the group was produced and distributed by Agua Pura SalvaVidas, Guatemala City. Although the large jugs were fully sealed, when tested using the HACH Pathoscreen Field Test Kit to detect contaminating bacteria, the results indicated that the water contained bacterial contamination. Because the source of the water at the factory was not tested, contamination of water may have occurred after it left the factory.

Travellers should be cautious and always check to make sure that the seal on bottled water has not been broken. Bottled water may become contaminated at the factory that bottles it or occasionally when used bottles are refilled and resold with local unsafe water.