People have been told to boil their drinking water after 22 cases of a waterborne disease were confirmed in South West England.
“Small traces” of a parasite which can cause a disease with diarrhoea symptoms were found in the water supply in Devon on Wednesday, according to South West Water.
It added it is working with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to “eliminate the source” of the disease and that bottled water stations will be set up in the areas affected.
The detected parasite – cryptosporidium – can cause cryptosporidiosis disease when it is passed on to humans.
Anyone can get the disease and it can be a serious illness in people who have immune systems that are not working properly, according to the UKHSA – though most healthy people should recover.
Infections can be caused by drinking contaminated water or swallowing contaminated water in swimming pools or streams. It can also be acquired by animal and human contact.
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.
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“We are issuing this notice following small traces of the organism identified overnight and this morning.”
As well as the 22 people confirmed to have the disease, other reported cases of diarrhoea and vomiting in residents and visitors to Brixham are also under investigation and more confirmed cases are expected.
South West Water added it was “urgently investigating” and apologised for the inconvenience.
Sarah Bird, consultant in health protection at UKHSA South West, added: “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.
“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 symptoms include watery diarrhoea, stomach pains, dehydration, weight loss and fever, which can last for two to three weeks, the UKHSA added.
Ms Bird continued: “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.”
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Torbay Council had said on Tuesday that South West Water had been carrying out tests for the parasite.
After initially finding the water supply was safe and fine to use as normal, the water company issued an update with the tap water warning on Wednesday.
It comes after hundreds of residents said on the Facebook group Brixham Fish Town that they have fallen ill in recent days.
A post to the group on Tuesday had more than 1,200 comments from locals saying they or a family member were sick.
One person said on the group they were “fuming that this could happen” after confirmation of the parasite in the water supply.
The cause of the outbreak has not yet been confirmed.
