One hundred people have been attacked by cryptosporidium in Devon, health officials have warned.
The current outbreak of the parasite in Brixham is believed to be linked to water contaminated with infected faeces reaching the drinking water supply.
Entire streets of the city have been infected, and victims are forced to endure days of diarrhea and agonizing stomach pains, with one victim even likening them to “childbirth.”
Residents have also been forced to boil their own water since May 15 to ensure it is safe to drink and South West Water (SWW) bosses said “further intensive work” was still needed to “completely remove any contamination.” “.
The company said it would automatically credit customers’ invoices with £50 to compensate for any additional inconvenience caused.
The current outbreak of the parasite in Brixham is believed to be linked to water contaminated with infected faeces reaching the drinking water supply. Entire streets of the city have been infected, and victims are forced to endure days of diarrhea and agonizing stomach pains, with one victim even likening it to “childbirth.” Residents of Brixham, Boohay, Kingswear, Roseland and north-east Paignton in Devon were asked to boil water as a precaution.
South West Water has apologized to customers and provided detailed advice on how to remove disease-causing organisms from the water.
The latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show that a further 23 cases of cryptosporidium have been recorded up to May 30 in the Brixham area (pictured), bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 100.
David Harris, SWW incident manager, said that over the past week the reservoirs had been cleared and the net washed “several times” in Brixham.
A boil water advisory remains in effect in some parts of the city, and Harris said the company needed to be “absolutely sure we’ve fixed this issue” before the advisory was lifted.
The latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show that a further 23 cases of cryptosporidium have been recorded in the Brixham area as of May 30, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 100.
A damaged air valve on private land is believed to be the source of the outbreak which “may have allowed animal waste or contaminated groundwater to enter the local supply.”
Sarah Bird, health protection consultant at UKHSA South West, said: “The data shows that the outbreak is associated with people who live in or visited the area where water is advised to be boiled in Brixham and nearby areas before for the notice to be implemented.”
‘Although more cases may be reported due to the time lag between exposure and illness, the number of reported cases is slowing.
‘As with any other disease, it is very important to follow good infection prevention measures, such as washing your hands with soap and hot water, as alcohol hand gel is not enough to kill cryptosporidium.
“This will prevent more cases from spreading from person to person in the community.”
Doctors technically call cryptosporidium infection cryptosporidiosis.
Patients often have to endure these symptoms for two weeks before they finally clear from their systems.
But some patients may experience longer bouts of illness in those with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients.
Sufferers may also experience periods of false hope in which their symptoms disappear for a few days, making them believe they have finally overcome the infection, only for it to return.
Most people with cryptosporidiosis are not offered treatment and are instead told to drink plenty of fluids and minimize contact with other people while they wait until their symptoms disappear.
People usually become infected by contact with feces containing the parasite, whether from humans or animals, which then enter their mouth.
The risk of water supplies becoming infected is also higher after periods of heavy rain and when animals are giving birth, such as in the calving season.
In the past two months, at least two pet farms, which invite families to cuddle free-range animals, have also been hit by suspected cryptosporidium outbreaks.
More than 80 people are reported to be seeking legal advice after parents and children fell ill at Gannow Farm, in Worcestershire, over Easter.
Victims of the infection suffered serious gastric illnesses and some even required hospital treatment.
The UKHSA also issued a warning about the risk of Cryptosporidium infection on farm visits earlier this month.
In a variation on the classic nursery rhyme, the agency wrote on social media: “Mary had a little lamb, its fleece was white as snow.
“But wash your hands and dry them too in case you have cryptocurrencies.”
Patients with the infection are told not to go to work or school until they have been symptom-free for at least two days to avoid transmitting the virus to others.
It comes as an urgent ‘do not drink’ notice was issued to more than 600 households in a Surrey village yesterday following concerns over testing of tap water.
A total of 616 households in Bramley, south of Guildford, have been told their water is currently undrinkable following the discovery of hydrocarbons, a chemical compound that forms the basis of crude oil, natural gas and coal.
Households have been warned not to drink tap water or use it for cooking or brushing teeth, but they can continue to use the water for showering and washing hands.