WARNING! Harmful bacteria found in Aqua Springs bottled water; Do not drink!

The Ministry of Health and Wellness of Mauritius has urged the public not to consume Aqua Springs brand water until further notice and has demanded all retailers to remove Aqua Springs brand water bottles from their shelves with immediate effect.

The warning comes soon after routine bacteriological tests by the Central Health Laboratory led to the discovery of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, a bacterium that can cause infections in the blood, lungs (pneumonia), fever and chills and other complications.

The Public Health and Safety Inspectorate of the Ministry of Health and Wellness said it will conduct inspections at retail outlets across the island to ensure that Aqua Spring brand water is not sold until further notice.

The company, Country Springs Co. Ltd, based in Long Mountain has been given notice to immediately cease its operations and deliveries.

What Is Pseudomonas Aeruginosa?

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacteria that’s commonly found in the environment, for example in soil and water. It can be spread to people in health care settings through contaminated surfaces, hands, and equipment. It can cause serious infections in certain people. Some healthy people even have strains of it growing on their skin in moist parts of their body, like their armpits or genital area. This can be called a pseudomonas infection.

If you’re in good health, you may not get sick from it. Other people only get a mild skin rash or an ear or eye infection. But if you’re sick or your immune system is already weakened, pseudomonas can cause a severe infection. In people with cystic fibrosis, cancer, or burns, it can be life-threatening. It is one of the top causes of infections people get from being in hospitals.

Source: Ministry of Health & Wellness, WebMD