South West Water (SWW) have confirmed that low levels of Cryptosporidium have been found in the local supply of water in and around Brixham. SWW will be hand delivering notices to all the properties affected. SWW are advising residents in the following areas to boil drinking water until further notice:
- Brixham
- Hillhead
- Kingswear
Thank you to everyone who has reported symptoms so far. There is no need to report further cases at present, but the UKHSA will be carrying out further work to understand the scale of the outbreak and more information will follow.
In the meantime, please only contact your GP if you need urgent clinical care, (if your symptoms last longer than seven days, or if you experience more severe symptoms such as blood in your poo) and they may recommend taking a poo sample for testing, this will help them manage demand at this very busy time.
To check whether you're in an affected area, find water collection points, and get the most up to date information from South West Water please visit their website on the link below:
We continue to work with South West Water and the UK Health Security Agency on this and will provide further updates when we get them.
What is cryptosporidiosis
Cryptosporidium is a parasite (a tiny organism). It causes an illness or disease called cryptosporidiosis. This affects people and some animals, particularly farm animals. It is found in the intestines and faeces of infected humans and animals. It can contaminate:
- lakes
- streams and rivers
- swimming pools
- untreated or poorly treated water
- food, especially raw milk and fresh produce
- objects, such as farm gates, outdoor boots and clothing
Symptoms of cryptosporidiosis include watery diarrhoea, stomach pains, dehydration, weight loss and fever. These symptoms could last for up to three weeks. It can affect people with weak immune systems for longer periods. There is no specific treatment for the illness which is usually self-limiting. It is important that anyone with the illness keeps hydrated.
How to treat cryptosporidiosis
There is no specific treatment for cryptosporidiosis. Most people with a healthy immune system will recover within one month.
It is important to drink plenty of fluids as diarrhoea or vomiting can lead to dehydration. This can mean you lose important sugars and minerals from your body. Your doctor may recommend a re-hydration solution. This is available from your pharmacist. If you feel sick, try taking frequent small sips of fluid. Avoid alcohol.
A simple painkiller can help with abdominal cramps. Talk to your GP or pharmacist. They can advise you on the most appropriate painkiller for you.
Do you need to stay off work or school
Yes. While you are ill and have symptoms you are infectious. You should not return to work or school until you have been free from diarrhoea and/or vomiting for 48 hours.
You must tell your employer you have had cryptosporidiosis if you work with vulnerable people. This includes the elderly, the young, those in poor health. You must also tell them if your work involves handling food.
If your symptoms become severe, contact your GP.
Cryptosporidium parasites can be found in soil, water and food. It can be on any surface contaminated with human or animal faeces.
It spreads through animal-to-human or human-to-human contact.
People can also become ill by consuming contaminated water or food.
It can spread by swimming in contaminated water (for example in lakes or rivers).
Infection is often associated with foreign travel.
Anyone suffering with diarrhoeal should not swim for two weeks after symptoms stop. It is important to shower immediately before getting in to the pool and as soon as you get out.