TWO people are in hospital following the cryptosporidium outbreak in South Devon, the Government says.
The UK Health Security Agency is investigating 46 confirmed cases of the parasite after it was found in Brixham’s water supply.
Speaking to MPs on Monday, Steve Barclay, the Environment Secretary, warned the number of confirmed cases could rise.
He said: “Given symptoms may take up to 10 days to emerge, obviously that may continue to rise.
“Two people have been hospitalised.”
On Wednesday, South West Water (SWW) urged locals across Brixham, Boohay, Kingswear, Roseland and North East Paignton to boil their tap water.
It came after tests found Cryptosporidium was present in the tap water.
The parasite causes an infection called cryptosporidiosis, which leaves victims with symptoms such as diarrhoea and “childbirth-like” cramps.
Nausea or vomiting, a mild fever, and loss of appetite have also been recorded.
The bug can live in the intestines and faeces of infected humans and animals.
It can spread directly from another person or animal by touching faeces or through swimming in or consuming contaminated water or food.
But experts fear people could fall ill in other parts of the UK.
Mr Barclay said that whilst 16,000 homes served by Alston reservoir were subject to the boil notice, 85 percent (32,000 residents) have had the “precautionary” measure lifted.
It comes as SWW said the “probable” cause of the parasite outbreak is a damaged air valve which may have allowed contaminated water to seep into Hillhead reservoir.
The reservoir was successfully drained, cleaned and was being refilled on Monday, SWW said.
Conservative MP Anthony Mangnall, whose Totnes constituency includes Brixham, said the 46 confirmed cases is an “underestimation” and blamed SWW for people falling ill.
How to tell if you’ve picked up cryptosporidium – plus, steps to avoid it
HUNDREDS of people in Devon have been struck down by a parasite that infiltrated the water supply.
The bug, cryptosporidium, commonly known as ‘crypto,’ can infect the digestive systems of both animals and people.
Most people recover, but some can become seriously ill, such as very young children and those with particularly weak immune systems.
What are the symptoms?
- Profuse watery diarrhoea
- Stomach pains
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Low-grade fever
- Loss of appetite
- Dehydration
- Weight loss
Symptoms usually last about two weeks but can be longer, especially in people with weak immune systems.
During the illness, you might think you are getting better and have shaken off the infection, but then it returns a couple of days later before you fully recover.
Take the following steps to protect yourself from the illness
The advice to people living in the affected area is to boil your drinking water and drink plenty to prevent becoming dehydrated – and stay away at home until it’s subsided.
Beyond the current outbreak, crypto can also be caught in lakes and swimming pools and contact with animal manure.
Therefore, you should always avoid swallowing water in lakes and swimming pools.
Catching it from animals is usually the most common way people become unwell, with a spike coming in spring when farms hold open days.
You should always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after working with, feeding, grooming or playing with pets and other animals.
How do I treat the illness?
There is no specific treatment for cryptosporidiosis.
Most people with a healthy immune system will recover within one month.
It’s important to drink plenty of fluids as diarrhoea or vomiting can lead to dehydration and you can lose important sugars and minerals from your body.
Cryptosporidiosis is highly infectious, so you need to be very clean around your home for at least 48 hours after your symptoms stop, so don’t return to work or school until that time has passed, don’t share towels or bedding and don’t prepare food for others.
You are infectious to other people while you are ill and have symptom
Blasting the scandal as “totally unacceptable” in the 21st century, he added: “The anger in Brixham is palpable, the frustration is apparent.
“And the sheer inconvenience that has been put on them by South West Water is absolutely abhorrent.
“For 24 hours people were still able to drink the water, SWW continued to say there was no problem.
“The reason that people are ill and 46 is most certainly an underestimation, is because of that time period in which people were able to go on drinking it.”
Mr Mangnall demanded an investigation into SWW’s handling and said the “damaged reputation that has been suffered by businesses and the community of Brixham needs to be addressed”.
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Responding, Mr Barclay said: “Issues around drinking water are taken with absolute utmost seriousness within Government.
“And that is why I can assure him that these issues will be looked at extremely closely.”