An investigation has been launched into a suspected outbreak of cryptosporidium in a West Country town after 'hundreds' have reportedly fallen ill. The illness is characterised by severe diarrhoea, stomach pains, nausea or vomiting, a slight fever, and a decrease in appetite, typically lasting one to two weeks.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has launched an investigation but has not yet confirmed specifics regarding the outbreak in Brixham, in Devon. Meanwhile, South West Water (SWW) has stated that its drinking water quality tests in Brixham have all returned clear results.

As reported by Devon Live, cryptosporidium, which are parasites that reside in the intestines and faeces of infected humans and animals, may be contracted through exposure to or ingestion of contaminated water or via tainted food. The parasites cause the disease known as cryptosporidiosis.

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In response to concerns raised online about Brixham's water quality, a spokesperson for South West Water commented: "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 exact number of cryptosporidium cases in the area remains unconfirmed, but the Brixham Fish Town community Facebook page is awash with residents reporting symptoms. Paignton locals have also begun to share their experiences of illness on social media.

Devon Live has been told by numerous Brixham residents about the prolonged sickness they're enduring and its negative effects on their daily lives. The majority of these reports are coming from those residing in Higher Brixham.

Tanya Matthews, a resident of Ocean View, in Higher Brixham, alleges that every household on her street is experiencing identical symptoms. South West Water (SWW) conducted a water quality test at her property on Tuesday, May 14, with results expected the following day.

Suffering from stomach cramps and diarrhoea for nine days, Tanya, who is awaiting a test for cryptosporidium, said: "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 (Tuesday, May 14) it hit me again."

She added, after contacting SWW on May 13: "I rang SWW yesterday [May 13] and I was told there had been 15 confirmed cases of cryptosporidium and that UKHSA are looking into it as they don't believe it's to do with the water.

"They wouldn't expect this many cases over a whole year for all of Devon and Cornwall so something is amiss. SWW asked if I had been in the sea or a river but I have not. I also think the water tastes funny and it has been leaving a horrid taste in my mouth."

On May 13, Tanya took to Brixham Fish Town Facebook page to gauge how many others were affected. The post garnered more than 1,000 comments with many reporting similar symptoms.

Tanya explained: "I posted about it to see how many other people may have had these symptoms without realising and thinking it's just a tummy bug. I know some people have been to GP's and been told they have food poisoning which most likely is not the case so have not been asked for a sample to have it tested.

Cryptosporidium parasites

"When SWW came out today they told me they don't think it's the water. I don't know how that's possible when every house in our street has someone who is ill. So many people are sick in the area. My husband has it too. My son is doing his GCSEs and I'm worried about what happens if he gets poorly too."

Another resident of Ocean Drive, Kayley Lewis, shared that her entire family is suffering from symptoms associated with cryptosporidium. She revealed: "My eldest son Jacob was the first one of us to be poorly. He ended up in hospital overnight with severe dehydration on May 5. I then started to feel unwell on May 6 and had awful stomach pains and watery diarrhoea lasting six days.

"My other son Oscar is doing his SATS exams this week but I am having to drop him off just to sit his exam and then pick him up due to him still having diarrhoea and cramps. Both my boys have missed a lot of school due to it too. My youngest daughter Daisy has only had stomach cramps. I took in my sample this morning to the doctors and they have said every sample is now going to a team that is investigating."

A Hillhead, a Brixham, resident who wishes to remain anonymous, shared her experience stating, she has been incapacitated and confined to bed for over a week after testing positive for cryptosporidium.

She stated: "I've been bed-bound for eight days with sickness and diarrhoea and have been signed off work for two weeks and lost over a stone in weight. It's the worst illness I've ever experienced.

"I originally thought it was norovirus but as it went on for so long, I had to contact the doctors. I sent off a stool sample which came back as cryptosporidium which I had never heard of until I saw the post on Brixham Fish Town.

"I phoned SWW who said it was the first they had heard of it even though everyone has been phoning. Public health have told me I'll be getting a phone call from environmental health but we are still waiting. It seems the majority of people affected are from Hillhead and Higher Brixham."

Dean James, from Northfields Lane, Furzeham, claimed his family has been suffering from illness since last Saturday, May 11, affecting their livelihood.

One resident of Brixham revealed: "It has not been a nice experience. We have had diarrhoea and vomiting, severe stomach cramps, high temperature and gunning a fever. My partner and I are both off work and have no sick pay; my partner has no sick pay for the first three days and I'm self-employed. All this when we are experiencing a high cost of living."

"Some of my neighbours have become suddenly unwell. We have been told to ring public health and report cases and also to boil all water for drinking. Looking at Facebook, cases are now appearing all over Brixham and starting to appear in Paignton too."

Speaking to the press but choosing to remain nameless, another resident said: "My whole family - myself, my partner and my two children - have been affected. We have had diarrhoea, stomach cramps and vomiting for more than 10 days, as have many people on our street, including several diagnosed cases of cryptosporidium.

"It seems to be mainly affecting people in households in Higher Brixham. Whenever you phone SWW, they make out they've only had a 'couple' of reports about it. I spoke to our GP at Mayfield Surgery who confirms they have had many cases and have reported it to the relevant authorities as it is so prevalent."

Meanwhile, Totnes MP Anthony Mangnall, who represents Brixham as part of his constituency, informed Devon Live that he is aware that an abundance of Brixham locals have been falling ill recently and he is currently investigating the matter.

In a recent update on his official Facebook page, he shared: "I have been made aware of current concerns regarding the quality of drinking water in Brixham and have been making enquiries. South West Water have reassured me that they are supporting the UK Health Security Agency with their investigations, and have stated that constituents can continue to use their water supply as normal.

"SWW carefully monitors drinking water supplies, and cryptosporidium is monitored continuously in the final drinking water from the supplying treatment facility. To confirm, all recent test results for cryptosporidium have come back clear. I will provide further updates when possible."

The UK Health Security Agency has yet to respond to requests for comment.