Cryptosporidium vomiting bug outbreak in Devon as residents urged to boil tap water after 22 confirmed cases

People living in a seaside town in Devon are being urged to boil their tap water before use after the outbreak of a highly infectious virus.

South West Water issued the notice to residents in two areas of Brixham after the UK Health Security Agency confirmed there had been 22 confirmed cases of cryptosporidium.

The figure is likely to rise further, warned the agency, with more reported cases currently under investigation.

The water company, which is “urgently investigating” the issue, said it found small traces of the organism in a section of its network on Tuesday night.

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Cryptosporidium is a diarrhea and vomiting illness that can be caught by drinking contaminated water. It can also be spread through animal and human contact.

Symptoms, including stomach pains and fever, can last between two and three weeks with most healthy people recovering fully.

In a statement, 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 notice following small traces of the organism identified overnight and this morning. We are working with the UK Health Security Agency and other public health partners to urgently investigate and eliminate the source.

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused and will continue to keep customers and businesses updated. Bottled water stations will be set up in the affected areas as soon as possible.”

Brixham, which has a population of around 17,000 people, is a busy fishing harbour as well as popular holiday hotspot.

On the town’s social media pages, many residents have been sharing concerns after suffering symptoms of the disease.

Anthony Mangnall, MP for Totnes, which includes Brixham, said he was aware of concerns over the quality of drinking water in the town.

Posting on Facebook, he said: “South West Water have reassured me that they are supporting the UK Health Security Agency with their investigations, and have stated that constituents can continue to use their water supply as normal.

“SWW carefully monitors drinking water supplies, and cryptosporidium is monitored continuously in the final drinking water from the supplying treatment facility.

“To confirm, all recent test results for cryptosporidium have come back clear. I will provide further updates when possible.”

The list of symptoms of the waterborne disease provided by the UKHSA includes watery diarrhoea, stomach pains, dehydration, weight loss and fever.

It is most common in young children aged between one and five years, the agency said.

Sarah Bird, consultant in health protection at UKHSA South West, advised anyone with severe symptoms like blood in diarrhoea to contact NHS 111 or their GP surgery

She said: “We advise people in the affected areas to follow the advice from South West Water and boil their drinking water and allow to cool before use.

“For most people, cryptosporidium symptoms can be managed at home without needing medical advice.

“Those affected should stay off school and work for 48 hours since the last episode of illness and away from swimming pools for 14 days after the last episode of illness.”