Two people hospitalised in Devon’s dirty water crisis amid warning cases could rise as symptoms take 10 days to show

TWO people are in hospital following the cryptosporidium outbreak in South Devon, the Government says.

The UK Health Security Agency is investigating 46 confirmed cases of the parasite after it was found in Brixham's water supply.

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But speaking to MPs on Monday, Steve Barclay, the Environment Secretary, warned the number of confirmed cases could rise.

He said: "Given symptoms may take up to 10 days to emerge, obviously that may continue to rise.

"Two people have been hospitalised."

Cryptosporidium causes an infection called cryptosporidiosis, which leaves victims with symptoms such as diarrhoea and "childbirth-like" cramps.

Nausea or vomiting, a mild fever, and loss of appetite have also been recorded.

The bug can live in the intestines and faeces of infected humans and animals.

It can spread directly from another person or animal by touching faeces or through swimming in or consuming contaminated water or food.

But experts fear people could fall ill in other parts of the UK.

Mr Barclay said that whilst 16,000 homes were subject to this boil water notice, 85 percent (32,000 residents) have had this lifted.

These homes in the Brixham area were served by the Alston reservoir and Mr Barclay said the boil order was "precautionary".

While he accepted locals will have ongoing concerns he said daily testing will continue.

Conservative MP Anthony Mangnall, whose Totnes constituency includes Brixham, said the 46 confirmed cases is an "underestimation" and blamed South West Water (SWW) for people falling ill.

Branding the "totally unacceptable" in the 21st century, he added: "The anger in Brixham is palpable, the frustration is apparent.

"And the sheer inconvenience that has been put on them by South West Water is absolutely abhorrent."

"For 24 hours people were still able to drink the water, South West Water continued to say there was no problem.

"The reason that people are ill and 46 is most certainly an underestimation, is because of that time period in which people were able to go on drinking it."

Mr Mangnall called for an investigation into SWW's handling and said the "damaged reputation that has been suffered by businesses and the community of Brixham needs to be addressed".

Responding, Mr Barclay said: "Issues around drinking water are taken with absolute utmost seriousness within Government, and that is why I can assure him that these issues will be looked at extremely closely."

Shadow environment minister Emma Hardy said: "I cannot believe that I am about to say this, but after 14 long years of Conservative rule, in 21st century Britain, our water is no longer safe to drink."

She called on the Government to "strengthen regulation, so law-breaking bosses face criminal charges".