A large area of Wiltshire is going to remain at risk for weeks because of the growing mystery about the extent of contamination from a Russian nerve agent, public health officials have warned.
Families in the Salisbury and Amesbury area have been told to refrain from picking up litter that might contain any liquid or gel.
Public health officials met residents at a public meeting and warned that this was “particularly important” as school holidays approach.
The advice follows the death of Dawn Sturgess and the illness of her friend Charlie Rowley -and inconclusive investigations into how she came into contact with the Novichok agent.
Public Health England medical director Paul Cosford met residents and said he believed the risk to others remained low.
Residents have been advised to call 111 if they are concerned and to see a health professional if they experience symptoms.
Officials say that parts of Salisbury have already been cleaned and should be regarded as safe.
Professor Cosford said: “As a precaution, and as the Chief Medical Officer has said, I want to emphasise to everyone in the Salisbury and Amesbury area that nobody, adult or child, should pick up any foreign object which could contain (or may have previously contained) liquid or gel, in the interests of your own safety. This in practice means do not pick up containers, syringes, needles, cosmetics or similar objects made of materials such as metal, plastic or glass.
“This is particularly important as we approach school holidays and so I am asking that people are extra vigilant and we urge parents to talk with your children to be sure they understand. To be clear: do not pick up anything that you haven’t dropped yourself.”
Leave a Reply