MAP has revealed that tap water in ten regions of the UK is laced with POO – and experts say it “simply should never happen”.
Hundreds are feared to have fallen ill after tap water in south Devon was found to be contaminated with a parasite that causes diarrhea and “childbirth-like” cramps.
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The whole of Great Britain is at risk of cryptosporidium, an expert has warnedCredit: Getty
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South West Water distributes bottled water to all those affectedCredit: Alamy
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A bug appeared in Brixham this week and saw a boil water notice for residents Credit: Getty
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The UK Health Safety Agency is investigating 46 confirmed cases linked to the Cryptosporidium outbreak.
But experts fear people could become ill in other parts of the UK.
The map revealed that more than 44.5 million Britons were supplied with water by a company that experienced at least one bacterial outbreak in 2022.
A total of 34 E. coli and Enterococci breaches occurred in England and Wales in 2022, according to the Government’s Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI).
Read more about cryptosporidium
Both are types of bacteria that indicate water is contaminated with feces, which can make people and animals very sick.
The data – which comes from faecal bacteria detected in taps – shows there have been 12 breaches in the North West in the area served by Severn Trent Water.
Anglian Water in East England was next to record six breaches, while Northumbrian, Essex and Suffolk Water each had four.
Experts say contamination events like this “simply should never happen”.
There is no geographic data on waterborne cryptosporidium outbreaks in the UK, and those infected with the bug – which causes cryptosporidiosis – could be sick for up to a month, an expert previously warned.
Cryptosporidium can live in the intestines and feces of infected people and animals.
Doctor Explains Cryptosporidium Outbreak – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention
It can be transmitted directly from another person or animal by touching faeces or by swimming or eating contaminated water or food.
Infected people have symptoms such as diarrhea, labor-like cramps, nausea or vomiting, mild fever, and loss of appetite.
Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious disease expert at the University of East Anglia, warned that new outbreaks of the disease could also occur in other parts of the UK.
He told MailOnline that it did not necessarily come directly from drinking water supplies, but from people who may have become infected in Devon.
He stressed that Britons would not have to boil their water like those in South Devon, but could be at risk of coming into contact with someone who has transmitted the disease from the region.
He also warned that the country could face future outbreaks as the UK’s aging water infrastructure breaks down.
How to know if you’ve picked up cryptosporidium – plus, steps to avoid
HUNDREDS of people in Devon have been sickened by a parasite that got into the water supply.
The bug, cryptosporidium, known as ‘crypto’, can infect the digestive system of animals and humans.
Most people recover, but some can become seriously ill, such as very young children and those with particularly weak immune systems.
What are the symptoms?
- Profuse watery diarrhea
- Abdominal pains
- Nausea
- Vomit
- High temperature
- Loss of appetite
- Dehydration
- Weight loss
Symptoms usually last about two weeks, but can be longer, especially in people with weak immune systems.
During the illness, you may think you are better and have gotten rid of the infection, but then it comes back a few days later before you fully recover.
Take the following steps to protect yourself from the disease
Advice for people living in the affected area is to boil drinking water and drink plenty to prevent dehydration – and stay at home until it subsides.
In addition to the current outbreak, crypto can also be contracted in lakes and pools and through contact with animal manure.
Therefore, always avoid swallowing water in lakes and swimming pools.
Contagion from animals is usually the most common way people get sick, and the spike comes in the spring when farms hold open days.
You should always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after working with, feeding, grooming or playing with pets and other animals.
How to treat the disease?
There is no specific treatment for cryptosporidiosis.
Most people with a healthy immune system will recover within a month.
It’s important to drink plenty of fluids because diarrhea or vomiting can lead to dehydration and you can lose important sugars and minerals from your body.
Cryptosporidiosis is highly contagious, so you must be very clean in your home for at least 48 hours after symptoms stop, so do not return to work or school until this time has passed, do not share towels or bedding, and do not prepare food for others.
You are contagious to other people while you are sick and have symptoms
On Wednesday, South West Water urged locals across Brixham, Boohay, Kingswear, Roseland and North East Paignton to boil their tap water.
The water company has apologized for the outbreak because it is feared that the discharge of dirty water could lead to the destruction of the half year and cause an exodus of tourists.
The possible source of the fault has been identified as a “damaged air valve” in the Hilldean area of Brixham.
Local MP Anthony Magnall said this “may have allowed animal waste or contaminated groundwater to enter the local supply”.
‘TUBES STICKING OUT OF HER HANDS’
Brixham resident Lisa Horswill, who was struck down by the water-borne parasite, told iNews: “It’s worst after you’ve just eaten.
“Then the diarrhea just washes you out and the stomach cramps start, which are so painful, like childbirth.”
Gran Elaine Hollier, 80, was hospitalized after severe dehydration and vomiting for two weeks.
Dennis, Elaine’s husband of 60 years, said: “She was absolutely diabolical.
“It was so upsetting to see my wife in a hospital bed with antibiotic tubes sticking out of her hands.
“She has no appetite or energy. And I was dead worried about myself because they had no idea.”
Mr Hollier says he suffered from symptoms but had a “lucky escape” because he drinks less water than his wife.
At first they both thought they had gotten sick from undercooked sausage.
Because of the cryptosporidium outbreak, water bottle drop-off points have been set up in Brixham and Paignton to give locals access to clean drinking water.
In a statement, South West Water announced it would increase its compensation package to local residents to £115 “to apologize for the stress and worry the situation has caused”.
South West Water previously offered just £15 to customers whose water was contaminated with cryptosporidium.
Laura Flowerdew, the company’s chief customer and digital officer, said “we sincerely apologize for the impact this is having”.
Statement by South West Water
South West Water says it is ‘sorry’ about the cryptosporidium outbreak in South Devon.
In a statement, Laura Flowerdew, the firm’s customer and digital officer, said: ‘We sincerely apologize for the impact this is having on our customers in the Brixham and Alston areas.
‘Protecting the health of our customers and providing them with clean, fresh drinking water is our number one priority and we will continue to work around the clock to ensure this happens as soon as possible.’
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Gran Elaine Hollier, 80, was hospitalized after suffering severe dehydration and vomiting for two weeks, seen here with husband Dennis Credit: Neil Hope
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A possible source of the fault was a ‘damaged air valve’ in the Hilldean area of Brixham Credit: Neil Hope
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Water bottle collection points set up in Brixham and Paignton due to cryptosporidium outbreak Credit: Neil Hope
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Notice warns locals not to drink from taps for fear of contracting cryptosporidiumCredit: Neil Hope
Take steps to protect yourself and your family
By Lizzie Parry, Head of Health
ANYONE who has had a bout of norovirus knows how miserable a stomach bug can be.
In this case, the cause appears to be the parasite Cryptosporidium, a tiny organism that causes a disease known as cryptosporidiosis.
The bug can be found in the intestines and feces of infected people and animals.
Anyone can get sick, but it most often occurs in children from one to five years old.
Other people at high risk include people who work with animals, people exposed to human feces (parents changing diapers), and people who swim in open water.
This is because you contracted the bug from an infected person or animal by coming into contact with their feces.
Other sources of infection include drinking or swimming in contaminated water, eating contaminated fresh food (unwashed or unpeeled vegetables or salads), and drinking contaminated raw milk.
As with norovirus, the symptoms can be very unpleasant, watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, fever and loss of appetite, which can lead to dehydration.
Symptoms usually last about two weeks, but may subside and reappear during that time.
The only way to know for sure if you’re infected—and to tell it apart from other stomach bugs—is to ask your doctor to test a stool sample.
As with other contagious insects, there are things you can do to protect yourself and your family.
First and foremost, wash your hands thoroughly with warm soap and water before handling any food, after preparing raw food, after going to the bathroom or changing a child’s diaper, and after playing with or caring for animals – including your pets.
And if you or a member of your family becomes infected with the bug, be sure to wash all dirty linens and towels, avoid sharing towels, clean all bathrooms, and avoid preparing food for others until at least 48 hours have passed without symptoms.
It goes without saying that if you have symptoms, you should avoid going to work or taking your children to school until you have been symptom-free for 48 hours.
There is no specific treatment, but most healthy people will recover within a month. The NHS notes that it is important to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
If you’re worried about your child or can’t ignore the bug, it’s worth talking to your GP – try filling out the online consultation form.
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education