People have been told to boil their drinking water after 22 cases of water-borne illness were confirmed in south-west England.
“Small traces” of a parasite that can cause an illness with symptoms of diarrhea were found in the water supply. Devon on Wednesday, according to South West Water.
It added that it is working with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to “eliminate the source” of the disease and that bottled water stations will be installed in affected areas.
The detected parasite – cryptosporidium – can cause the disease cryptosporidiosis when transmitted to humans.
Anyone can get the disease and it can be a serious illness in people with immune systems that don’t work properly, according to the UKHSA – although most healthy people should recover.
Infections can be caused by drinking contaminated water or by drinking contaminated water from swimming pools or streams. It can also be acquired through animal and human contact.
South West Water said: “Customers in Alston and the Hillhead area of Brixham are advised to boil their drinking water before consuming, following new test results for Cryptosporidium.
“We are issuing this warning following small traces of the organism identified overnight and this morning.”
In addition to the 22 people confirmed to have the disease, other reported cases of diarrhea and vomiting in Brixham residents and visitors are also under investigation and more confirmed cases are expected.
There are at least 22 people confirmed with waterborne illnesses in the area. Photo: iStock
South West Water added it was “urgently investigating” and apologized for the inconvenience.
Sarah Bird, health protection consultant at UKHSA South West, added: “We advise people in affected areas to follow advice from South West Water and boil their drinking water and let it cool before using.
“Anyone with diarrheal illness should drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and if they have serious symptoms, such as bloody diarrhea, they should contact NHS 111 or their GP.”
Symptoms of cryptosporidiosis include watery diarrhea, stomach pain, dehydration, weight loss and fever, which can last two to three weeks, the UKHSA added.
Ms Bird continued: “For most people, Cryptosporidium symptoms can be treated at home without the need for medical advice.
“Those affected should stay out of school and work for 48 hours after the last episode of illness and away from swimming pools for 14 days after the last episode of illness.”
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Torbay Council said on Tuesday that South West Water was carrying out tests for the parasite.
After initially finding the water supply to be safe and suitable for normal use, the water company issued an update with the tap water alert on Wednesday.
This comes after hundreds of residents said on Facebook Brixham Fish Town group who have fallen ill in recent days.
A post in the group on Tuesday had more than 1,200 comments from local residents saying they or a family member were sick.
One member of the group said they were “furious that this could happen” after the parasite was confirmed in the water supply.
The cause of the outbreak has not yet been confirmed.
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