Armenia’s Ministry of Health says that drinking water is to blame for the recent outbreak of dysentery that landed a number of residents in the Shirak village of Tzithankov in hospital.

The same water source also services a number of other communities in neighboring Aragatzotn Province.

Many residents in these communities also complained of intestinal disorders.

The ministry reports that the 17 patients now being treated at the Talin Medical Center are on the mend.

The water provider, Armenian Water and Sewer, has been instructed to super-chlorinate its potable water network.