A primary school in south Devon has been closed because it has no drinking water while officials investigate a local outbreak of a disease that causes illness and diarrhea.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said 22 cases of cryptosporidiosis, a water-borne disease caused by a microscopic parasite, had been confirmed in Brixham and more were expected. Other reported cases of diarrhea and vomiting among residents and visitors to the city are under investigation.
South West Water has issued a “boil water notice” for Alston and the Hillhead area of Brixham after water tests showed small traces of the parasite cryptosporidium.
Torbay Council said South West Water had opened two collection points for bottled water.
A spokesperson said: “We are also aware that Eden Park Primary School has made the decision to close today due to a lack of drinking water. We are not aware of any other school closures.
“Our public health team provided general guidance on cryptosporidium to schools yesterday, including the symptoms, treatments and precautions to take. South West Water is supplying bottled water to schools and nurseries and continues to distribute these to their priority list.”
The water company previously said data from tests on Tuesday showed treated water leaving the treatment plant was not contaminated, but further tests found small traces of cryptosporidium and it had issued a warning to boil water as a precaution.
Residents are advised to boil water and let it cool before drinking it or using it to prepare or cook food or brush their teeth, although the company said water can be used normally for washing, bathing and flushing the toilet. toilet.
South West Water said: “We are working with public health partners to urgently investigate the source. We apologize for any inconvenience caused and will continue to keep customers and businesses informed.”
It said that in addition to the bottled water stations, vulnerable customers would also receive bottled water at home.
Anthony Mangnall, the Conservative MP for Totnes and South Devon, urged South West Water to respond more quickly. He tweeted: “The response from South West Water in Brixham must be faster. Residents should not be left without safe drinking water. I hope that the system will be operational again soon and that the compensation level will increase above the current £15.”
UKHSA South West said it was working with Torbay Council, South West Water, NHS Devon and the Environment Agency to investigate.
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Sarah Bird, a health protection consultant at UKHSA South West, said: “We advise people in affected areas to follow advice from South West Water and boil and cool their drinking water before use.
“Anyone with diarrhea should drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, and if they have severe symptoms such as bloody diarrhea they should contact NHS 111 or their GP. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, stomach pain, dehydration, weight loss and fever, which can last two to three weeks.”
She said anyone can get the disease, but it is most common in children between one and five years old. Most healthy people would make a full recovery. People who contract the disease should avoid school or work for 48 hours after they are no longer sick, and stay away from swimming pools for 14 days, she said.
The disease can be transmitted directly through the feces of another person or animal, by swimming or drinking in contaminated water, or by eating contaminated food such as unwashed vegetables. Cryptosporidium in manure can contaminate fields, rivers and crops.