CASES of a violent diarrhoea bug, which primarily infects people through farces contaminated drinking water, has now reached 77 as hundreds continue to fall ill.
The majority of those infected were in Devon, however, there have been reported cases in Oxfordshire and Worcestershire over the past few months.
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It comes after residents in Brixham faced a series of outbreaks earlier this month.
The waterborne parasite, cryptosporidium, causes violent diarrhoea and vomiting for weeks and can be passed on from person to person.
Experts have warned that more outbreaks of the bug could crop up in other parts of the UK if infected people carry the virus away from Devon.
Dozens of Brits, including children, have fallen severely ill since the end of March.
Locals have been forced to boil water for weeks to make it safe to drink, with ships running out of bottled water due to panic-buying.
A damaged air valve in the water supply line could be the source of the outbreak.
It appears it “may have allowed animal waste or contaminated groundwater to enter the local supply”.
However, water isn’t the only way people can get struck down with cryptosporidium.
Infected animals can also pass on the illness.
More than 80 people are seeking legal action after they caught the bug at a petting zoo.
Parents and children were left with severe gastric sickness following a visit to Gannow Farm in Worcestershire over the Easter holidays.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Wychavon District Council have launched a probe.
Sophie Enright, 14, had to take time off school and last over a stone in weight due to the bug.
She now fears her exam results will suffer as a result.
The 14-year-old was given a strong dose of medication, plus nutrient shakes and pain relief, and was diagnosed with cryptosporidium following tests.
Today, Sophie continues to suffer from debilitating symptoms, including stomach pains and lethargy.
Her mum said: “We thought it was just a bug that would clear up but when they said it was cryptosporidium, terrible thoughts go through your mind.”
‘DANGEROUS’ BUG
In a Facebook post, the farm said: “We at Gannow Farm take the welfare of our visitors very seriously and for that reason we have decided to close for the remainder of the 2024 Farm Experience.
“This is a decision taken by the team and not by governing bodies, however we are working closely with them as always.
“We would like to wish anyone that is poorly a speedy recovery.”
Cryptosporidium can affect anyone, but it tends to be worse for children under the age of five.
It causes watery and often violent diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach pains that can last days or weeks.
The bug is found in the intestines and faeces of infected humans and animals and can contaminate lakes, streams, rivers, swimming pools, water and food, as well as farm gates and outdoor clothing and shoes.
For most people, cryptosporidiosis is mild and will clear on its own.
But for some, it can be “dangerous”, according to the UKHSA.
Officials say it can cause dehydration, malnutrition, growth delays and cognitive impairment.
The NHS urges anyone with symptoms to stay off work and school.
No one should return until they have been free from diarrhoea and/or vomiting for at least 48 hours.
Symptoms of cryptosporidiosis and how to avoid it
SYMPTOMS of the bug include:
- Profuse watery diarrhoea
- Stomach pains
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Low-grade fever
- Loss of appetite
- Dehydration
- Weight loss
Symptoms usually last for about two weeks but can be longer, especially in people with weak immune systems.
During the illness, you might think that you are getting better and have shaken off the infection but then it returns a couple of days later before you fully recover.
Take the following steps to protect yourself from the illness.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water:
- Before preparing and eating food
- After handling raw food
- After going to the toilet or changing a baby’s nappy
- After working with, feeding, grooming or playing with pets and other animals
Help young children to wash their hands properly and always wash and/or peel fruits and vegetables before eating them.
Do not drink untreated water.
You should pay special attention to hygiene during farm visits, washing hands after any contact with animals, and eating only in designated areas.
How do I treat the illness?
There is no specific treatment for cryptosporidiosis.
Most people with a healthy immune system will recover within one month.
It’s important to drink plenty of fluids as diarrhoea or vomiting can lead to dehydration and you can lose important sugars and minerals from your body.
Cryptosporidiosis is highly infectious, so you need to be very clean around your home for at least 48 hours after your symptoms stop, so don’t return to work or school until that time has passed, don’t share towels or bedding and don’t prepare food for others.
You are infectious to other people while you are ill and have symptoms.
On Wednesday, South West Water urged locals across Brixham, Boohay, Kingswear, Roseland and North East Paignton to boil their tap water.
The water company has apologised for the outbreak as it is feared the dirty water fallout could see half-term ruined and trigger an exodus of tourists.
The possible source of the bug has been identified as a “damaged air valve” in the Hilldean area of Brixham.
Local MP Anthony Magnall said this “may have allowed animal waste or contaminated groundwater to enter the local supply”.
It comes as a map reveals how over 44.5 million Brits were supplied water by a company that experienced at least one bacteria breach in 2022.
A total of 34 E. coli and Enterococci breaches took place in England and Wales in 2022, according to the Government’s Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI).
Both are types of bacteria that indicate water has been contaminated by faeces, which can make humans and animals very sick.
The data – which stems from faecal bacteria detected in taps – shows 12 breaches were recorded in the North West in the area served by Severn Trent Water.
Next was Anglian Water in the East of England which recorded six breaches, while Northumbrian, Essex and Suffolk Water had four.
Experts say contamination events like this “should simply never happen”.
There is no geographic data for cryptosporidium outbreaks in UK water and those infected with the bug – which causes cryptosporidiosis – could be ill for up to a month, an expert previously warned.
Take steps to protect you and your family
By Lizzie Parry, Head of Health
ANYONE who’s had a bout of norovirus will know how miserable a tummy bug can be.
In this case, the cause appears to be the Cryptosporidium parasite, a tiny organism that causes an illness known as cryptosporidiosis.
The bug can be found in the intestines and poo of infected humans and animals.
Anyone can fall sick but it’s most common in kids aged between one and five.
Other people at high risk include people who work with animals, people exposed to human faeces (parents changing nappies), and people who swim in open water.
That’s because you catch the bug from an infected person or animal by coming into contact with their faeces.
Other sources of infection include drinking or swimming in contaminated water, eating contaminated fresh food (unwashed or unpeeled veg or salads) and drinking contaminated raw milk.
Like norovirus, the symptoms can be really unpleasant, watery diarrhoea, stomach pains, nausea or vomiting, fever and a loss of appetite, which can lead to dehydration.
Symptoms tend to last for about two weeks but can ease off and reappear in that time.
The only way to know for sure if you’ve been infected – and to tell it from other tummy bugs – is to ask the doctor to test a stool sample.
Like other infectious bugs, there are things you can do to protect yourself and your family.
First and foremost, wash your hands thoroughly with warm soap and water before handling any food, after preparing raw food, after going to the loo or changing a baby’s nappy and after playing with, or looking after any animals – including your pets.
And if you, or a member of your family, catches the bug make sure you wash all dirty bedding and towels, avoid sharing towels, clean all bathrooms and avoid preparing food for others until you’ve been symptom-free for at least 48 hours.
It goes without saying that if you have symptoms avoid going into work or taking your children to school until you’ve been symptom-free for 48 hours too.
There’s no specific treatment, but most healthy people will recover within a month. The NHS notes it is important to drink lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.
If you are worried about your child, or you can’t seem to shrug off the bug it’s worth speaking to your GP – try filling out an online consultation form.
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