According to South West Water, “small traces” of a parasite that can cause a sickness with symptoms similar to diarrhea were discovered in the water supply in Devon on Wednesday.
It further stated that bottled water stations will be established in the impacted areas and that it is collaborating with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to “eliminate the source” of the illness. One has already been installed at the Paignton Broadsands Beach parking lot to disperse bottled water.
When transferred to humans, the identified parasite, Cryptosporidium, can result in the disease known as cryptosporidiosis.
According to the UKHSA, anyone can contract the disease, and while most healthy individuals should recover, it can be a devastating condition for those whose immune systems are compromised.
