State health officials have detected E. coli in the Town of Drakes Branch’s drinking water, according to a Wednesday press release.

The release emphasized that citizens are urged to boil tap water before drinking. E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes, officials said in the release. Human pathogens in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms. They may pose a greater health risk for infants, young children, the elderly and people with severely compromised immune systems.