OSTERSUND, Sweden, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Swedish authorities say they have discovered the source for an intestinal parasite that sickened more than 11,000 people.

Investigators in Ostersund said they traced the Cryptosporidium parasite to a multifamily dwelling in the city's Odensala neighborhood, the Swedish news agency TT reported.


"We've found high levels of the parasite in the connection to this source," said Ostersund environmental head Jari Hiltula. "We've handed over the information to the police who are responsible for the investigation. A property owner will also be contacted."

The parasite may have entered the city's water supply through a sewage line mistakenly connected to a rainwater drainage system, the report said.

"It looks like the sewage pipe wasn't connected properly," said Andrew Sorensson, an environmental crimes investigator with the Ostersund police.

Officials said equipment has arrived in Ostersund to treat the city's water supply.

"We're going to work with the supplier to get it up and running as fast as we can," spokesman Richard Jonsson said.