E. Coli Detection Leads to Boil Water Alerts in 2 Mississippi Cities

The presence of the bacteria indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal waste

A microbiologist points out an isolated E. coli growth on an agar plate from a patient specimen at the Washington State Dept. of Health in Shoreline, Wash. on Nov. 3, 2015, The Canadian Press/AP/Elaine Thompson

Mississippi health officials issued boil water alerts for the cities of Jackson and Flowood on Jan. 11 after traces of E. coli bacteria were detected during routine water sampling.

“Health officials strongly recommend that all water be boiled vigorously for one minute before it is consumed,” the state’s health department said in an advisory.