HUNDREDS have been sickened in the city as an emergency warning was issued for residents to boil their water after a water-borne parasite was found in supplies.
People have severe symptoms including watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, mild fever and loss of appetite.
7
Hundreds of people in Brixham, South Devon, fell ill from a parasite suspected to be called CryptosporidiumCredit: Getty
7
South West Water has issued this warning to residents across South Devon warning them not to drink the waterCredit: South West Water
7
Cryptosporidium is a parasite that can live in the intestines and feces of infected people and animalsCredit: Getty
7
The UK’s Health Safety Agency is investigating 16 cases of cryptosporidium in South Devon – and hundreds more are feared to have contracted the disease.
Residents across Brixham, Boohay, Kingswear, Roseland and North East Paignton must boil their tap water, South West Water (SWW) said.
Are you in Brixham? Ring The Sun: 020 7782 4100 OR email us: [email protected]
The UK Health Safety Agency said it was working with Torbay Council, SWW, NHS Devon and the Environment Agency to investigate the cases.
A further 70 suspicious incidents were reported in Brixham as lorries were filmed delivering bottled water to the stricken fishing town.
SWW previously said drinking water quality tests came back clear, but on Wednesday they were “investigating the source” of the contamination.
Resident Tanya Matthews, who lives in the Ocean View area, said every household on her street is showing symptoms of the insect.
She told DevonLive: “I started having stomach cramps and explosive diarrhea nine days ago and it’s been the same every day since.
“Yesterday I started to feel a little better than today [May 14] it hit me again.”
Cryptosporidium is a parasite that can live in the intestines and feces of infected people and animals.
How the diarrheal disease Cryptosporidium or Cryptosporidiosis occurs and how it is sometimes found in swimming pools
It can be spread by swimming in or consuming contaminated water, but it can also be transmitted through food.
One person, who wished to remain anonymous, thought she had norovirus and added: “But it took so long I had to contact the doctors.
“It is the worst disease I have ever experienced.
“I sent in a stool sample which turned out to be Cryptosporidium which I had never heard of until I saw a post on Brixham Fish Town.”
Anyone can get cryptosporidiosis, but it is most common in children aged between one and five, according to the NHS.
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 got 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 of all, wash your hands thoroughly with warm soap and water before handling any food, after preparing raw food, after going to the toilet 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.
People who care for children or work with children are more at risk than others.
There is no specific treatment for the bug, but sufferers are advised to drink plenty of fluids and rehydrate.
CHILDREN IN THE HOSPITAL
Kayley Lewis, who also lives on Ocean Drive, said her oldest son, Jacob, was hospitalized overnight May 5 due to severe dehydration.
She explained: “I started feeling unwell on May 6 and had terrible stomach pains and watery diarrhea that lasted for six days.”
Her second son, Oscar, had similar symptoms, while the youngest, Daisy, only had stomach cramps, Kayley said.
There have also been reports on Facebook of bad residents in the neighboring town of Paignton.
This is not the first time that a rise in cryptospordia has hit Britain.
Last year, a record 367 cases of the pesky bug were reported during the week ending October 2.
A spokesman for South West Water previously said: “We are aware of posts on social media regarding the quality of drinking water in the Brixham area and would like to reassure customers that the water supply is fine so they can continue to use it as normal.
“We carried out sampling and tests for cryptosporidium and all the results are clear.
“We are always monitoring our drinking water supplies carefully and are supporting the UK Health Safety Agency in their investigations.”
The UK’s Health Safety Agency has been approached for comment.
7
Emergency water arrived in Brixham on Wednesday after a cryptosporidium outbreak Credit: BBC
7
Cryptosporidium can live in the intestines and feces of infected people and animalsCredit: Alamy
7
Residents across Brixham (pictured), Boohay, Kingswear, Roseland and North East Paignton must boil their tap water, South West Water said Credit: Getty
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education