Hundredth case of cryptosporidium confirmed in Devon
The UK Health Security Agency says the number of cases is slowing down
100 people are now confirmed to have contracted parasite cryptosporidium in Brixham - up 23 in a day.
South West Water are still working to remove it from the water supply used by around 2,500 homes in the Brixham area.
It causes sickness and diarrhoea and symptoms can take up to 12 days to show.
The UK Health Security Agency says the cases currently being confirmed are still from those who became unwell before the issue was identified and measures were put in place by South West Water.
Sarah Bird, Consultant in Health Protection for UKHSA South West said, “The data shows the outbreak is associated with people who live in, or visited the boil water notice area of Brixham and the nearby areas before the notice was put in place.
While further cases may be reported due to the time lag between exposure and falling ill, the number of cases being reported is slowing down.
“As with any other sickness bug, it is really important to follow good infection prevention measures such as handwashing with hot soapy water, as alcohol hand gel is not enough to kill cryptosporidium. This will prevent further cases spreading from person to person through the community.
“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 their last episode of illness. This is really important to stop further spread of the illness from person to person.”
A boil water notice remains in place for a number of residents, and South West Water have a postcode checker on their website for people to check if they are affected.