At least 46 cryptosporidium infections have been confirmed in England linked to contaminated water. Torbay Council, South West Water, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), NHS Devon and the Environment Agency are investigating the outbreak. There have been around another 100 reported cases of diarrhea and vomiting.
South West Water initially said that water quality data at the treatment works indicated there were no issues with treated water. However, traces of cryptosporidium were later found in the Hillhead section of their network. South West Water has issued a boil water notice to around 16,000 households and businesses.
People in the Alston and Hillhead areas of the network are affected, which supplies customers in Brixham, Boohay, Kingswear, Roseland, and North West Paignton. Cryptosporidium is a parasite which can cause sickness and diarrhea if consumed. Drinking water can become contaminated due to various reasons.
Sarah Bird, consultant in health protection at UKHSA South West, said the agency was investigating the possible source of infection and putting control measures in place. “For most people, cryptosporidium symptoms can be managed at home without needing medical advice,” she said. “Symptoms include watery diarrhea, stomach pains, dehydration, weight loss and fever, which can last for two to three weeks.
Anyone can get cryptosporidiosis, but it is most common in young children aged between 1 and 5 years old and most healthy people will recover fully. Pl.