An incident response team has been set up after an outbreak of Cryptosporidiosis, a parasitic disease which affects the intestines was identified in south Roscommon.

Roscommon County Council says the infectious organism, which commonly causes diarrhea, was recently located in a water supply.

Dozens of areas in the county may have been affected including Dysart, Brideswell, Esker, Bealnamullia, Crancam, Cloonown, Cornafulla, Nure, Lowtown, Thomastown, Moore, Cloonburren, Creggan, Oldtown, Ballydangan, Cullaghmore, Beagh, Suckfield, Cloonulty, Ballygortagh, Carrowreigh, Taughmaconnell, KIlleglan, Castlesampson, Feevagh, Ardkeenan, Drum, Tulrush, Ardnaglug, Skyvalley, Newtown and Cloonkeen.

Water schemes in Ballygortagh, Camlagh, Castlesampson, Creggan Cornafulla, Culleen, Culliaghmore, Dysart, Esker, Griffin/Kilroy, Knock, Taughmaconnell, Moore, Oldtown Clonown, Oonagh Taughmaconnell and Parkmore are also at risk of carrying the disease. 

A Boil Water Notice was issued on the advice of the Health Service Executive West and Roscommon County Council and an Incident Response Team has been established to investigate the incident.

Water should be boiled before drinking, preparing food, brushing teeth and making ice. Un-boiled water can still be used for showing and other personal hygiene.

The council says the notice will be lifted when the water supply is considered to be safe and Roscommon County Council and HSE West say they will continue to work together to manage the incident.