Cryptosporidium update issued by Torbay Council

Torbay Council has issued a fresh update to locals affected by a serious outbreak of parasite infection Cryptosporidium in their water supply - and visitors to the Bay who may be put off. Despite the alarming and ongoing incident, focused primarily in Brixham, the authority is reassuring residents and potential tourists that "the Bay remains open for business.”

So far, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has recorded 46 cases of confirmed cryptosporidium. More than 100 cases with matching symptoms are currently under investigation. Those symptoms are grim, with vomiting and diarrhoea being the key indicators that the parasite is in your system.

Lincoln Sargeant, Torbay ’s Director of Public Health, said: “While we have increasing confidence we have identified the source of the initial contamination of the water supply and put in place public health measures to stop exposure to cryptosporidium, we know that there can be a delay of up to two weeks for some people to develop symptoms after their first exposure to the parasite.

“As a result there may continue to be people who experience watery diarrhoea in the coming days that are related to the initial problem.

“It is important that those in the areas where the Boil Water notice is in place continue to avoid ingesting tap water until advised otherwise. All residents need to maintain good hygiene measures and remain away from school and work for up to 48 after last episode of diarrhoea. This will help us to reduce any onward person to person spread of the infection.

“The outbreak is confined to Brixham and surrounding areas. We have effective public health measures in place to protect our residents and visitors and the Bay remains open for business.”

The council has thanked those who have reported symptoms so far. However, it says there is no need to report further cases at present and the UKHSA is still trying to understand the scale of the outbreak and will issue more information soon.

It urged victims to only contact their GP if they need urgent clinical care, such as symptoms last longer than seven days, or if there is blood in the stool and they may recommend taking a sample for testing. This is to help them manage demand and prevent the NHS from becoming overwhelmed.

In the fresh statement, Torbay Council also states that "teams have been liaising with South West Water (SWW) to ensure that vulnerable households are receiving deliveries of bottled water. This includes schools and businesses.

"Anyone who is vulnerable or on the Priority Services register and hasn’t yet received a delivery of bottled water can contact SWW directly on 0344 346 1010. Those registered for Priority Services will automatically receive bottled water from SWW, every 24 hours, throughout the boil water notice period. This also applies to those who have difficulty accessing one of the bottled water sites."

SWW has set up three bottled water collection points at Broadsands Car Park, Freshwater Quarry Car Park at Churston Car Boot Field. They are open until 9pm this evening and from 7am to 9pm on Saturday and Sunday.

SWISCo, the local refuse collection firm, is expecting a rise in the number of empty plastic water bottles needing to be recycled. The advice now is to avoid putting them in your general waste and recycle them by crushing them down. It is also setting up three plastic bottle recycling points in Brixham to cope with demand. These will be at St Mary’s Park, Furzeham Green and Summercourt Way Playing Field.

The statement adds: "As confirmed yesterday, customers affected by the boil water notice will be given £115 compensation as an apology for the inconvenience and worry caused by the situation.

"This will automatically be paid to customers, or credited to your next available water bill, where direct debit details are not held. Customers will not be contacted by anyone about this, so please be wary of anyone who calls claiming to be from SWW as this could be a scam.

"For businesses impacted by the boil water notice, SWW has set up a dedicated line for retailers and businesses to discuss any impact on their businesses. The number is 03332 342 293 and the line is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday."