A primary school in south Devon has closed as it does not have drinking water as officials investigate a local outbreak of a disease that causes sickness and diarrhoea.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said 22 cases of cryptosporidiosis, a waterborne disease caused by a microscopic parasite, had been confirmed in Brixham and more were expected. Other reported cases of diarrhoea and vomiting among residents and visitors to the town are under investigation.
South West Water 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 bottled water collection points.
A spokesperson said: “We are also aware that Eden Park primary school have made the decision to close today due to not having drinking water. We are not aware of any other school closures.
“Our public health team issued general guidance about cryptosporidium to schools yesterday including its symptoms, treatments and precautions that should be taken. South West Water is delivering bottles of water to schools and nurseries as well as continuing to distribute to their priority list.”
The water company previously said data from tests on Tuesday had shown that treated water leaving its treatment works was not contaminated, but further tests found small traces of cryptosporidium and it had issued the warning to boil water as a precaution.
Residents are being advised to boil water and let it cool before drinking it or using it to prepare or cook food or clean their teeth, though the company said water could continue to be used as normal for washing, bathing and flushing the toilet.
South West Water said: “We are working with public health partners to urgently investigate the source. We apologise for the inconvenience caused and will continue to keep customers and businesses updated.”
It said that in addition to the bottled water stations, vulnerable customers would get deliveries of bottled water to their homes.
Anthony Mangnall, the Conservative MP for Totnes and South Devon, urged South West Water to respond faster. He tweeted: “South West Water’s response in Brixham needs to be faster. Residents should not have to be going without safe drinking water. I hope to see the system back up and running shortly and the compensation level increased beyond 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 consultant in health protection at UKHSA South West said: “We advise people in the affected areas to follow the advice from South West Water and boil their drinking water and allow to cool before use.
“Anyone with a diarrhoeal illness should drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration, and if they have severe symptoms like bloody diarrhoea they should contact NHS 111 or their GP surgery. Symptoms include watery diarrhoea, stomach pains, dehydration, weight loss and fever, which can last for two to three weeks.”
She said anyone could get the disease but it was most common in children between one and five years old. Most healthy people would recover fully. People who catch the disease should stay off school or work for 48 hours after they stop being ill, and away from swimming pools for 14 days, she said.
The disease can be picked up directly from the faeces of another person or animal, from swimming in or drinking contaminated water, or by eating contaminated food such as unwashed vegetables. Cryptosporidium in manure can contaminate fields, rivers and crops.
