An outbreak of a diarrhoea-type illness is expected to last for 'at least' a week in south Devon, with people told to boil their tap water until further notice.
Are YOU affected? . South West Water contamination LIVE: Latest updates on the crisisThe reservoir which is understood to be the source of an outbreak of cryptosporidium in a Devon seaside town has been revealed.
This afternoon, around a dozen vans from South West Water were lined up outside a pumping station where the outbreak is believed to have been detected earlier this week. It comes as residents formed massive queues to collect emergency bottled water from nearby Broadsands car park. John Ingram of The Bay Coffee Company in Brixham told MailOnline: 'We can't give anybody a glass of water.'Everyone is now worried about getting ill.' He added: 'We're trying to adapt ourselves.'Those infected by the parasite outbreak could be ill for up to a month, Professor Paul Hunter told Sky News.
'Protecting the health of our customers and providing them with a clean, fresh drinking water supply is our number one priority and we will continue to work around the clock to make sure that happens as soon as possible.' Others also shared their fears for those who attended the pirate fest, with one writing on Facebook: 'A lot of people were over in Brixham for pirate festival so people in say TQ3 might not be getting it from there water supply but caught it over that weekend.'
Eden Park Primary School in Brixham told parents last night they would not be opening this morning after they claimed South West Water did not supply them with bottled water. It can lead to the disease cryptosporidiosis, which is believed to be affecting many people in Brixham, and causes fever, a loss of appetite, diarrhoea and vomiting. The NHS says most people recover within a month, if not less.
How South West Water became one of UK's worst water firmsSouth West Water admitted finding 'small traces' of cryptosporidium in the water yesterday - marking the latest in a string of issues to hit the company after hundreds of locals complained of feeling unwell. On Boxing Day 2023, footage showed filthy water flooding onto a popular Cornish beach - just hours after locals enjoyed a festive swim there.
Locals Lewis, Izzy and Lisa Kelly have been suffering from the painful affects of cryptosporidium for nearly two weeks.'I've met lots of elderly people today who weren't even aware that they shouldn't be drinking the water and they were all ill.' He said: 'This was reported as an outbreak on Tuesday morning and by Wednesday we had a credible source that it was likely to be a reservoir serving the TQ5 postcode such as Brixham and neighbouring areas.
'Cryptosporidium exists in the environment. Sometimes when you have lots of rain it might get into the water system but usually through rigorous testing and water treatment it is usually picked up. 'I have had no water all day because everywhere is sold out of bottles. It reminds me of the panic buying toilet rolls during Covid.'
'We are working with the UK Health Security Agency and other public health partners to urgently investigate and eliminate the source. Most people aren't offered treatment for crypto and instead are told to drink plenty of fluids and minimise contact with other people while waiting until symptoms pass.
Other possible sources of infection are contact with infected milk, or from vegetables that have been fertilised with infected animal manure and not washed thoroughly.
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