Devon cryptosporidium cases rise to 46 with 100 more reporting symptoms
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed cases of cryptosporidium in Devon have more than doubled.
The agency said today (17 May) that 46 cases of cryptosporidium had now been confirmed in the fishing town of Brixham, up from 22 cases on Thursday, and that more cases were anticipated.
The UKHSA said more than 100 further people have reported symptoms of the parasite, which is usually found in tapwater, in the Brixham area.
It said other reported cases of diarrhoea and vomiting in residents and visitors to Brixham are also under investigation.
Around 16,000 households and businesses in Brixham have been told to boil their drinking water after South West Water (SWW) found small traces of cryptosporidium – which causes cryptosporidiosis – in the Hillhead reservoir.
SWW has advised residents to boil their water before using it for drinking, cooking, preparing food or brushing teeth.
Dr Bayad Nozad, consultant in health protection at UKHSA, urged people in the area to not contact medical services unless they need urgent care and said symptoms – which include watery diarrhoea stomach pains can be managed at home.
He added if symptoms last longer than 7 days, or if people experience more severe symptoms such as blood in their poo, they should contact their doctor, who may recommend taking a sample for testing.”
Paul Hunter, professor in medicine and infectious disease expert at the University of East Anglia (UEA), said residents should “expect to see further cases for at least 10 days to two weeks”.
The parasite could “absolutely” still be in the incubation period for lots of residents, he told BBC Breakfast on Friday.
Mr Hunter said: “One of the problems when you’re investigating outbreaks like this is that the incubation period can be about 10 days to two weeks.
“So often in the past when I’ve been involved in investigating outbreaks, by the time you know you’ve got a problem, the problem has resolved itself anyway, but you can’t guarantee that.
“Yeah, even if they have stopped all new infections by now, you would expect to see further cases for at least 10 days to two weeks.”
Michael Smith, co-owner of the Venus Cafe near Brixham, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme they had seen a 40% drop in business in the last two days.
He said: “During the week at the minute we’re not super busy, but we’re losing four, five hundred pounds per day the last couple of days.
“Come the weekend, sunshine next week and the week after, we’re talking many thousands (of pounds).”
Mr Smith said the cafe only found out on Wednesday it was in the affected catchment area, and that plans by SWW to set up a telephone helpline for businesses would not be very effective.
He added: “This parasite is not rare, it does occur annually, so they should know how to deal with it.”
Aaron Richardson, a receptionist at Wall Park Touring Caravan campsite in the town, told BBC News customers had contacted the park stating it was “too risky” to visit.
He said the park was left without fresh water until Thursday night and had not been contacted by SWW.
SWW chief customer officer Laura Flowerdew said on Thursday a damaged air pipe in a field containing cattle was a potential source.
She told Sky News the company had identified a damaged air valve near the Hillhead reservoir, adding: “It’s in a farmer’s field and I understand that there are cattle in that field and therefore there’s a possibility that that is therefore the source of the contamination.”
This breaking news story is being updated.
