Cryptosporidium symptoms as a health alert issued

A health alert has been issued in a British seaside town after “hundreds” of people fell ill.

The outbreak is being investigated after people have developed symptoms consistent with cryptosporidium infection. “Hundreds” of residents in Brixham, Devon fell ill, based on several social media posts, prompting an investigation by the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA).

Earlier this afternoon, South West Water issued a statement advising people in the area to boil their drinking water before drinking following new tests for cryptosporidium. It said: “Customers in Alston and the Hillhead area of ​​Brixham are being advised to boil their drinking water before drinking following new test results for cryptosporidium.

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“We are issuing this notification following small traces of the organism identified overnight and this morning. We are working with the UK Health Security Agency and other public health partners to investigate and remove the source as a matter of urgency.

“We apologize for any inconvenience caused and will continue to keep customers and businesses informed. Bottled water stations will be set up in the affected areas as soon as possible.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms generally begin 2 to 10 days (average 7 days) after being infected with the parasite. Symptoms include:

• Watery diarrhea
• Cramps or stomach pain
• Dehydration
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Weight loss

The advice added: “Symptoms usually last about 1 to 2 weeks (ranging from a few days to 4 or more weeks) in people with healthy immune systems. The most common symptom of cryptosporidiosis is watery diarrhea. Some people with Crypto will have no symptoms at all.”

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