Cryptosporidium toll rises to 144 THE number of people struck down by a potentially deadly water bug rose again over the weekend. Health officials last night confirmed six more people were suffering from the cryptosporidium bug. It takes the number of confirmed cases up to 144. Public health bosses are probing the possibility the bug may have entered the water system after a septic tank failed at Llyn Cwellyn, near Rhyd Ddu, in Gwynedd. But a spokesman last night said a number of the confirmed cases may not be linked to the outbreak. The National Public Health Service's Chris Lines said: "In a normal year we usually get about 300 cases across Wales. "Some of these cases may have happened anyway." Reports by the Drinking Water Inspectorate showed there were two flare-ups involving another bacteria at Cwellyn last year. In February 2004 chlorine levels at the works were increased after a drop in raw water quality. And in December another failure occurred leading a DWI report to say: "Repeated occurrences of coliform bacteria in samples at the same works in one year are of concern and require action to be taken." Mr Lines said they were assessing the results to see if there was a link between those incidents and the current outbreak. * If you have any concerns contact the NHS helpline on 0845 850 9850. It is open from 9am to 5pm seven days a week. | 
