Cryptosporidium outbreak in Brixham – Update

Posted on May 16th, 2024

*04/06/24 update  – For the latest news from South West Water and to check if you are still in an affected area please follow link: https://www.southwestwater.co.uk/brixham

We would like to reassure all our patients that we are here to support you.

We understand this is a worrying time if you are unwell, and if your symptoms are severe, such as bloody diarrhoea, or dehydration, then please contact us via our KLINIK form for medical advice. Otherwise, for most people, cryptosporidium symptoms can be managed at home without needing to contact us.

Anyone affected should stay off school and work for 48hrs since the last episode of diarrhoea and away from swimming pools for 14 days after the last episode of diarrhoea.

Anyone with a diarrhoeal illness should drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and in this instance drinking water that is either bottled or boiled and cooled as per South West water advice.

As this parasite can be spread from person to person, if you have symptoms do not attend any appointments until you are 48 hours clear of diarrhoea or vomiting. This is to protect our vulnerable patients and staff, ensuring we can remain operational.

Many of our staff are also off work unwell with cryptosporidium and at the same time we have been experiencing high demand since last week dealing with this outbreak.

We have all staff available working days off to provide extra support, but you may experience delays when calling the practice. We are working through all requests as quickly as possible and prioritising urgent cases, so routine appointments will take longer than usual.

Please be patient and polite with our team, who are working extremely hard and longer hours to provide additional support.

Further advice about cryptosporidium can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cryptosporidium-public-advice

Further information and advice on diarrhoea and vomiting can be found at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diarrhoea-and-vomiting/

South West Water have issued a boil water notice for residents in Brixham, the areas affected can be found on their website – https://www.southwestwater.co.uk/household/help-support/in-your-area/service-updates this is following test results confirming Cryptosporidium in the water system.