There has been a surge in the number of confirmed cases of cryptosporidiosis in south Devon, doubling in size, according to UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) officials. The South West Water (SWW) company’s CEO, Susan Davy, apologised and admitted that the company had “fallen significantly short” of providing safe drinking water. Health officials said that over 100 people had reported symptoms of the illness, which includes prolonged bouts of diarrhoea, while a few have even had to be admitted to hospital with various complications. The infections can be caused by drinking contaminated water or swallowing it in swimming pools or streams.
Around 16,000 households and businesses in Devon have been advised to boil water before drinking it due to the rise in cases. Hillhead reservoir, where a potential cause of the outbreak may have arisen, is being drained for an investigation. SWW had previously admitted that a faulty valve may have allowed the parasite to make its way into the water network. Although the outbreak is rare, the company’s customers demand a safe, clean, and reliable source of drinking water, Davy said.
Conservative MP for Totnes and South Devon, Anthony Mangnall, has stated that he is “deeply concerned about the management at South West Water” and that “heads are going to have to roll” over the incident. A guesthouse owner in Brixham maintained that the outbreak has “killed business overnight” and accused SWW of “under-investment, lack of testing and the fact we have a severely antiquated sewage system in the area which needs updating”. SWW told affected customers that they could request compensation of up to £115, which will be kept under review.
The UKHSA officials have requested that the public should not contact medical services “unless you need urgent clinical care”. Also, those who suffered from the ingested parasite should stay home from nursery, school, or work for 48 hours since their last episode of illness. Similarly, anyone experiencing diarrhoea is warned not to go swimming for 14 days since their last episode of illness
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