South West Water has issued a cautionary boil water advisory to residents across Brixham, Boohay, Kingswear, Roseland, and north-east Paignton in Devon after a suspected outbreak of cryptosporidium, a waterborne parasite, has led to a surge in illnesses, including diarrhoea, vomiting, and stomach pains.
The alert comes after reports of hundreds of people experiencing symptoms consistent with cryptosporidium infection, prompting an urgent investigation by public health authorities. Cryptosporidium is a parasite commonly found in contaminated water sources, and its presence can lead to severe gastrointestinal issues.
At present, sixteen cases of the illness have been confirmed in Brixham alone, with an additional seventy cases under investigation. Symptoms typically include low-grade fever and loss of appetite, lasting between one to two weeks.
South West Water initially maintained that their water quality tests had shown no signs of contamination. However, subsequent findings revealed “small traces of the organism” cryptosporidium in the water supply, prompting the utility company to issue the boil water advisory as a precautionary measure.
In response to the situation, South West Water has advised customers in the affected areas to boil their drinking water before consumption. Bottled water stations will be set up in the impacted regions, with priority delivery services arranged for vulnerable customers registered for Priority Services.
Community responses on platforms like Facebook indicate a significant number of residents experiencing symptoms linked to cryptosporidium infection, with reports emerging from various neighborhoods in Brixham, particularly Higher Brixham and Hillhead.
Residents have expressed frustration over the impact of the outbreak on their daily lives, including missed school days for children and loss of income for affected individuals unable to work due to illness. Some residents have reported clear diarrhoea and dehydration, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
Public officials, including Totnes MP Anthony Mangnall, have been notified of the outbreak and are coordinating with relevant authorities to address the issue. South West Water continues to cooperate with investigations led by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to identify the source of contamination and ensure the safety of the water supply.
Affected residents are encouraged to report cases to public health authorities and follow hygiene protocols to minimize the risk of infection. The UK Health Security Agency is yet to provide an official comment on the matter.
