Some 1,200 people in northeastern Hungary have fallen ill from drinking contaminated water, the director of national epidemic affairs said yesterday.

Flooding caused by heavy spring rainfall contaminated the spring water that flows into the city water system, experts said. On Thursday, residents of the city of Miskolc – some 100 miles northeast of Budapest – began showing first symptoms of bacterial poisoning, falling ill with diarrhea, vomiting and fatigue.

The number of sick in Miskolc escalated to 1,200 yesterday with 80 patients treated at a hospital there, said Lajos Ocsai, the epidemic affairs director.

Water experts advised all residents to use tap water strictly for cooking and to drink bottled water only.

While workers decontaminate the system, water trucks were providing household supplies.Children in schools are provided with drinking water.