The number of confirmed cases of a waterborne disease caused by a microscopic parasite has more than doubled, while more than 100 further people have reported similar symptoms. Around 16,000 households and businesses in the Brixham area of Devon have been told not to use their tap water for drinking without boiling and cooling it first.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Friday that 46 cases of cryptosporidium had now been confirmed in the fishing town, up from 22 cases on Thursday, and that more cases were anticipated. It added other reported cases of diarrhoea and vomiting in residents and visitors to Brixham were also under investigation.
Dr Bayad Nozad, consultant in health protection at UKHSA, said the Government agency was aware of further reports of illness above their confirmed numbers.
He said: "Please do not contact medical services to report cases unless you need urgent clinical care. If your symptoms last longer than seven days, or if you experience more severe symptoms such as blood in your poo, please contact your doctor who may recommend taking a sample for testing. Those with symptoms should stay off nursery, school and work for 48hrs since the last episode of illness and anyone with diarrhoea should not go swimming for 14 days after the last episode of illness."
Typical symptoms can include diarrhoea, stomach pains, dehydration, weight loss and fever, and usually last for about two weeks, but can be longer, Dr Nozad said. News of further confirmed cases comes after a health expert said residents should "expect to see further cases for at least 10 days to two weeks".
Paul Hunter, professor in medicine and infectious disease expert at the University of East Anglia (UEA), told BBC Breakfast on Friday: "So often in the past when I've been involved in investigating outbreaks, by the time you know you've got a problem, the problem has resolved itself anyway, but you can't guarantee that. Yeah, even if they have stopped all new infections by now, you would expect to see further cases for at least 10 days to two weeks."
Michael Smith, co-owner of the Venus Cafe near Brixham, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme they had seen a 40% drop in business in the last two days and had not been contacted by South West Water (SWW) "in any fashion".
He said: "During the week at the minute we're not super busy, but we're losing four, five hundred pounds per day the last couple of days. Come the weekend, sunshine next week and the week after, we're talking many thousands (of pounds)."
Mr Smith said the cafe only found out on Wednesday it was in the affected catchment area and that plans by SWW to set up a telephone helpline for businesses would not be very effective.
He added: "This parasite is not rare, it does occur annually, so they should know how to deal with it."
SWW issued a "boil water notice" for Alston and the Hillhead area of Brixham after water tests showed "small traces" of the parasite, which causes sickness and diarrhoea. SWW chief customer officer Laura Flowerdew said on Thursday a damaged air pipe in a field containing cattle was a potential source.
Residents are being urged to boil water and let it cool before drinking it, preparing or cooking food or cleaning their teeth, though the company said water can continue to be used as normal for washing, bathing and flushing the toilet. The disease can be picked up directly from the faeces of another person or animal, from swimming in or drinking contaminated water, or even by eating contaminated food such as unwashed vegetables.
