18-06-09

TESTS: Over 200 children were tested

Over 200 young people have been tested for bacterial infection after making contact with the river, but only three - including two Wallace High school pupils - tested positive.

The three were found to have one case of norovirus, one of campylobacter and one of cryptosporidium infections. NHS Forth Valley confirmed that environmental health experts will follow up the individuals affected.

It is not yet clear what caused the infections, but preliminary results of tests carried out by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) showed that the river contained the kind of bacteria that you would expect to find downstream of the Dunblane sewage treatment works.

The levels were not considered to be unusually high, according to the experts.

Nevertheless, Bridge of Allan parent Alison Sweeney - whose daughter was tested after swimming in the river - is not taking any chances.

She said: “I told her she won’t be able to swim in the pool again.

“I’d rather not take the risk to be honest.

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