Hundreds in UK city struck down with ‘worst illness and abdomen ache’
An outbreak of horrific illness is believed to have left hundreds of people in Devon practically bedbound.
Cryptosporidium has been confirmed in the seaside town of Brixham by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach pains, nausea or vomiting, low-grade fever and loss of appetite, and usually last between one to two weeks.
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South West Water (SWW) has confirmed the tests it has carried out on the quality of drinking water in Brixham have currently all come back clear.
(Image: Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF)
Cryptosporidium is a parasite, which can be found in the intestines and faeces of infected humans and animals and can be caused by swimming in or drinking contaminated water as well as other sources such as contaminated food.
A South West Water spokesperson said: “We are aware of posts on social media regarding the quality of drinking water in the Brixham area and we would like to reassure customers that the water supply is fine to continue to use as normal. We have carried out sampling and tests for cryptosporidium and all results have come back clear.
“We always carefully monitor our drinking water supplies and we are supporting the UK Health Security Agency with their investigations.”
(Image: Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF)
So far 16 cases have been confirmed as well as about 70 instances of diarrhoea and vomiting, reports The Mirror, as community Facebook page Brixham Fish Town became inundated with posts and comments from residents saying they have come down with symptoms.
Reports of people becoming poorly in Paignton have also started to emerge on Facebook.
Many Brixham residents have told DevonLive how they have been poorly for days and have spoken of the detrimental impact it is having on their lives.
It is believed that many of the cases are affecting people who live in Higher Brixham.
Tanya Matthews, who lives in Ocean View, claims every home in her street has come down with the same symptoms. SWW carried out a water quality test at her home on the morning of May 14.
Tanya, who has been suffering from stomach cramps and diarrhoea for the past nine days and is awaiting a cryptosporidium test, said: “I started having stomach cramps and explosive diarrhoea nine days ago and it has been the same every day since. I started to feel a little bit better yesterday then today [May 14] it hit me again.
SWW told Tanya the company doesn’t think it’s the water, but Tanya thinks otherwise.
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
She said: “I don’t know how that’s possible when every house in our street has someone who is ill. So many people are sick in the area.
A resident who lives in Hillhead, Brixham and asked not to be named, has told how she has been bed-bound for over a week and has tested positive for cryptosporidium by her doctor.
She said: “I’ve been bed-bound for eight days with sickness and diarrhoea and have been signed off work for two weeks and lost over a stone in weight. It’s the worst illness I’ve ever experienced.”
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