South Devon has been hit by an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis that may last for a week. People have been advised to boil their tap water, and schools have been forced to close due to the lack of clean drinking water. Public health experts have confirmed 22 cases of the illness in the area, with up to 100 further cases suspected as people reported symptoms to their GPs.
Cryptosporidium, a waterborne parasite, can cause diarrhoea, vomiting, low-grade fever and loss of appetite. Infections can arise from drinking contaminated water or through contact with infected swimming pools or streams. South West Water initially traced the problem back to the Hillhead reservoir and its surrounding areas, which supplies water to up to 40,000 residents. However, the cause has not yet been found.
South West Water is still urging residents to boil their drinking water as it works to identify the source of the problem. The company has set up water stations across Brixham, the area affected by the outbreak, where locals can collect bottled water for free. The UK Health Security Agency is also involved in the investigation but the end of the outbreak is not yet in sight.
Those who become infected with cryptosporidiosis can take up to 10 days before symptoms begin to appear, meaning that new cases are likely even if South West Water manages to halt the spread. The water supply company needs to find and address the root cause of the issue before the outbreak can be brought to an end
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