Residents in the Alston and Hillhead areas of Brixham, Devon have been advised to boil their drinking water before consumption due to the detection of cryptosporidium, a parasite that can cause diarrhoeal illness.
The warning comes after 22 confirmed cases of waterborne disease and reports of additional residents experiencing diarrhoea and vomiting.
South West Water is working with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to identify the source of the contamination and establish bottled water stations in the affected areas.
Cryptosporidiosis, the disease caused by cryptosporidium, can impact anyone but can be particularly serious for individuals with compromised immune systems. While most healthy people recover on their own, the infection can be contracted from contaminated water sources, including swimming pools and streams, or through animal and human contact.
“Customers in Alston and the Hillhead area of Brixham are advised to boil their drinking water before consuming following new test results for cryptosporidium,” advised South West Water. “We are issuing this notice following small traces of the organism identified overnight and this morning.”
Health officials are urging residents in the affected areas to follow the boil water advisory and seek medical attention if experiencing severe symptoms like bloody diarrhoea.
“We advise people in the affected areas to follow the advice from South West Water and boil their drinking water and allow it to cool before use,” said Sarah Bird, consultant in health protection at UKHSA South West. “Anyone with a diarrhoeal illness should drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and if they have severe symptoms like bloody diarrhoea, they should contact NHS 111 or their GP surgery.”
Cryptosporidiosis typically presents with watery diarrhoea, stomach cramps, dehydration, weight loss, and fever that can persist for two to three weeks. Those infected should avoid close contact with others, particularly refraining from swimming pools, for a designated period.parasite. boil water advisory, cryptosporidium, waterborne disease
