Two people have been left hospitalised following a parasite outbreak in a seaside town causing sickness and stomach pains, the Environment Secretary has revealed.
There are currently now 46 confirmed cases of cryptosporidium, a waterborne disease which can cause unpleasant symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting, in the Brixham area of Devon, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
And Steve Barclay told MPs the number of cases in the area could continue to rise due to symptoms taking up to 10 days to emerge.
Cryptosporidium is a parasite found in the intestines and faeces of infected humans and animals, which can be spread through means such as swimming in or drinking contaminated water, or consuming tainted food. READ MORE: The beautiful baby girl who died at the hands of someone meant to care for her 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.