Possible E. coli contamination closed the exchange food court at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Wednesday, July 17, 2024. (Luis Garcia/Stars and Stripes)

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea — Authorities closed the base exchange food court Wednesday after a routine inspection discovered possible E. coli contamination, according to a base spokesman.

A sample taken Tuesday from a facility water line by the 51st Fighter Wing’s bioenvironmental engineering flight tested positive for the harmful bacteria the following day, according to an email to Stars and Stripes from wing spokesman Capt. Kippun Sumner.

Consumers were advised to boil or avoid using the water from building 965 for drinking, showering, bathing and washing clothes, the email said. No other building is believed to be contaminated.

Drinking water contaminated by E. coli may cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms.

“There have been no reported cases related to any E-Coli contamination at this time,” Sumner wrote. The wing’s Public Health Office recommended closing the food court “until the source could be identified or until all water samples are confirmed safe.”

Sumner said the 51st Medical Group sampled water from throughout the exchange to identify the source of the contamination.

“The 51st Civil Engineering Squadron is currently working to flush the water lines to ensure there is no further contamination. After the water lines are flushed, an additional certification test will be conducted to ensure the water is safe to drink again,” Sumner wrote.

Once the water sample tests show no bacteria or concerns for contaminants, the wing will update the building’s status, he said.