HALF term could be thrown into chaos with restaurant and hotel closures after hundreds were struck down by a diarrhoea bug.
Residents across Brixham, Boohay, Kingswear, Roseland and North East Paignton in Devon must boil their tap water after a waterborne parasite was found in the supply.
The UK Health Security Agency is investigating 22 cases of cryptosporidium in South Devon - with hundreds more feared ill.
Residents and visitors alike are experiencing grim symptoms including watery diarrhoea, stomach pains, nausea or vomiting, a mild fever, and loss of appetite.
Those struck down by the parasite - which causes cryptosporidiosis - could be ill for a up to a month, an expert has warned.
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Businesses in Brixham are reporting mass cancellations and a tourist exodus from the popular holiday spot.
Clare, who runs Casa Nostra Italian on Fore St, Brixham, said she had lost thousands of pounds in business as customers panicked over cryptosporidium cancelled their bookings.
She told The Sun on Wednesday: "I'm sat here dreading the cancellations coming in.
"I was near enough fully booked. We trade three days a week. So many have cancelled. I've only got a table of five left.
"Roughly lost a grand, grand a half a night. No-one has approached any businesses or said has this affected you.
"I am really worried, like I said, we are not a chain, we are not supported by anyone else. There is no support from anyone."
While John Ingram of The Bay Coffee Company in Brixham told MailOnline: "We can't give anybody a glass of water.
"It is affecting trade - a lot more people are just not coming out."
Cryptosporidium is a parasite that can live in the intestines and faeces of infected humans and animals.
It can spread through swimming in or consuming contaminated water, but can also be passed on in food.
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Speaking to Sky News, Professor Paul Hunter, a specialist in medical microbiology at the University of East Anglia, said water supplies could be impacted for at least a week.
And he warned "it's not unusual to be ill for a month" with cryptosporidiosis, the disease caused by cryptosporidium.
RESERVOIR 'DRAINED'
It comes as it was revealed on Thursday that an underground reservoir believed to be the cause of an outbreak may have to be completely drained, causing weeks of disruption for families.
Locals living near the Hillhead Reservoir say they have been warned by South West Water workers they will have to be switched onto alternative sources of water while the reservoir – which serves around 40,000 homes – is emptied
This afternoon, around a dozen vans from South West Water were lined up outside a pumping station where the outbreak is believed to have been detected earlier this week.
One local, James Martins, said: “We have been ill for weeks with vomiting, diarrhoea and headaches. We are still feeling bad on an off.
“My understanding is it will be days or weeks before the reservoir is fully drained and in the meantime we have to boil our water."
Schools are also impacted, with Eden Park Primary and Nursery forced to shut today as a result of the contaminated water saga.
In a letter to parents they told how “running a school without drinking water in not possible”.
They added that staff “remain hopeful about opening again on Friday pending deliveries and the situation”.
It comes as victims of the illness have told how the symptoms are the “worst ever”.
Tanya Matthews, who lives in the Ocean View area, said every household on her street is displaying symptoms of the bug.
She told DevonLive: "I started having stomach cramps and explosive diarrhoea nine days ago and it has been the same every day since.
"I started to feel a little bit better yesterday then today [May 14] it hit me again."
One person, who wanted to remain anonymous, said their symptoms left them thinking they had norovirus.
They added: "But as it went on for so long, I had to contact the doctors.
"It's the worst illness I've ever experienced.
"I sent off a stool sample which came back as cryptosporidium which I had never heard off until I saw the post on Brixham Fish Town."
There is no specific treatment for the bug, but sufferers are advised to drink plenty of fluids and re-hydrate.
South West Water confirmed on Wednesday that customers hit with a Boil Water Notice will be given an automatic £15 as a result of "interrupted" services.
It is not the first time a spike in cryptospordium has swept Britain.
Last year, a record 367 cases of the nasty bug were recorded during the week ending October 2.
A spokesperson from South West Water previously said: "We are aware of posts on social media regarding the quality of drinking water in the Brixham area and we would like to reassure customers that the water supply is fine to continue to use as normal.
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"We have carried out sampling and tests for cryptosporidium and all results have come back clear.
"We always carefully monitor our drinking water supplies and we are supporting the UK Health Security Agency with their investigations."
Sarah Bird, 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 NHS111 or their GP surgery.
“Symptoms include: watery diarrhoea, stomach pains, dehydration, weight loss and fever, which can last for 2-3 weeks. Anyone can get cryptosporidiosis, but it is most common in young children aged between 1 and 5 years and most healthy people will recover fully.
“For most people, cryptosporidium symptoms can be managed at home without medical advice.
“Those affected should stay off school and work for 48hrs since the last episode of illness and away from swimming pools for 14 days after the last episode of illness.”
