Hundreds suddenly fall ill in town with ‘worst illness ever’ as whole families affected and urgent probe launched
HUNDREDS of people in a UK town have fallen ill with a suspected parasite that causes up to two weeks of diarrhoea.
A supposed outbreak of cryptosporidium – which locals have branded the “worst illness ever” – hit Brixham, Devon, this month.
Symptoms of the disease include watery diarrhoea, stomach pains, nausea or vomiting, a mild fever, and loss of appetite.
The UK Health Security Agency are investigating the illnesses but have not confirmed it to be cryptosporidium.
South West Water say tests on drinking water quality have returned clear results.
Resident Tanya Matthews, who lives in the Ocean View area, said every household on her street is displaying symptoms of the bug.
She told DevonLive: “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.”
Cryptosporidium is a parasite that can live in the intestines and faeces of infected humans and animals.
It can spread through swimming in or consuming contaminated water, but can also be passed on in food.
One person who wanted to remain anonymous thought they had norovirus, adding: “But as it went on for so long, I had to contact the doctors.
“It’s the worst illness I’ve ever experienced.
“I sent off a stool sample which came back as cryptosporidium which I had never heard off until I saw the post on Brixham Fish Town.”
Anyone can get cryptosporidiosis, but it is most common in children aged between one and five, according to the NHS.
WHAT IS CRYPTOSPORIDIUM?
The Cryptosporidium parasite is one of the most common causes of stomach infections.
It can result in cryptosporidiosis, which leads to diarrhoea, nausea, fever and stomach pain.
While most healthy people can recover within three weeks, anyone with a weak immune system could face other life-threatening symptoms.
In 2021, a 12-year-old girl was hospitalised after contracting cryptosporidium while swimming on a beach.
There is no specific treatment for the bug according to the NHS, but sufferers are advised to take plenty of fluids and re-hydrate
People who care for, or work with kids are more at risk than others.
There is no specific treatment for the bug, but sufferers are advised to drink plenty of fluids and re-hydrate.
KIDS IN HOSPITAL
Kayley Lewis, who also lives on Ocean Drive, said her eldest son Jacob was hospitalised overnight on May 5 with severe dehydration.
She explained: “I then started to feel unwell on May 6 and had awful stomach pains and watery diarrhoea lasting six days.”
Her other son Oscar has had similar symptoms while youngest Daisy has only experienced tummy cramps, Kayley said.
Reports of residents becoming poorly in the neighbouring town of Paignton have also emerged on Facebook.
It is not the first time a spike in cryptospordium has swept Britain.
Last year, a record 367 cases of the nasty bug were recorded during the week ending October 2.
A spokesperson from South West Water 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.”
The UK Health Security Agency were approached for comment.