Residents of an area of Devon have been told to boil their drinking water after at least 46 cases of a diarrhoea-type illness were confirmed. A waterborne parasite was responsible — so how much of a concern is it?
Cryptosporidium is a microscopic waterborne parasite and a common cause of “traveller’s diarrhoea”. There are at least two species that can make humans ill. Cryptosporidium parvum can affect many different types of mammal, including people, but its main host is cattle. Cryptosporidium hominis usually only infects humans and appears to be responsible for the surge in cases in Devon.
It can be transmitted through contaminated drinking water and food, especially unwashed salad. Raw milk is another common culprit, as is swallowing water from contaminated swimming pools.
