Fushë-Arrëz water contamination causes gastroenteritis outbreak

An investigation by the Institute of Public Health (ISHP) has confirmed that drinking water contamination within the supply system caused a gastroenteritis outbreak in Fushë-Arrëz. Between August 24 and September 3, 2026, 139 cases of gastrointestinal symptoms were recorded at the Fushë-Arrëz Health Center. The majority of these cases (128 individuals) were residents of Fushë-Arrëz, specifically concentrated in the Demokracia and Nushaj neighborhoods.

Symptoms reported by patients, ranging in age from 2 to 94 years, included diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. While clinical samples from patients tested negative for common bacterial and viral pathogens such as Norovirus and Rotavirus, microbiological analysis of the water supply revealed significant contamination. Testing identified E. coli, coliforms, enterococci, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at various points in the system.

Additionally, the investigation found that the sodium hypochlorite used for disinfection did not meet required standards, with active chlorine levels measured at 9.04% compared to the required 13–15%. The ISHP concluded that the concentration of cases in an urban area served by a single water system, combined with the confirmed microbiological contamination, points to the water supply as the common source of exposure.