Torbay Council has warned residents in Brixham to boil water before drinking it after dozens of people fell ill due to Cryptosporidium parasites.
South West Water (SWW) has confirmed that low levels of Cryptosporidium have been found in the supply of water around Brixham.
The council has advised people to wash their hands when handling food and after using the toilet ‘to help prevent the spread of further infection.’
Dr Lincoln Sargeant, Torbay’s director of Public Health, said: ‘We’re working with SWW and the UK Health Security Agency, NHS Devon and the Environment Agency to investigate 22 confirmed cases of cryptosporidium.’
‘Please follow the advice to stay away from nursery, school and work for 48 hours since the last episode of illness and do not swim for two weeks after being unwell,’ Dr Sargeant added.
‘Anyone with a diarrhoeal illness should drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and if they have severe symptoms like bloody diarrhoea, they should contact NHS 111 or their GP surgery.’
