An outbreak of a parasite that causes diarrhoea and stomach pain has presented yet "another hurdle" for hospitality businesses to overcome, a bed and breakfast owner told The Mirror amid a wave of cancelled bookings.
Health officials warned cases of cryptosporidium in Devon had more than doubled. There are now 46 people who have the infection with a further 100 having reported similar symptoms in Brixham, directly south of Torquay.
Visitors to the seaside destination are being monitored for the infection, with further cases anticipated. South West Water confirmed on May 15 that it detected 'small traces' of the organism in Alston and the Hillhead area of the coastal town - just 24 hours after stating the water was safe to drink after all its supply tests had come back clear.
The infection can be highly contagious (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Redlands Guest House partner Matt Hallum told The Mirror that people had cancelled their visits to the town. He added: "We've had cancellations for this weekend and other guest houses have had cancellations. It's not been the best time to be honest. April wasn't great and this month has not been as busy as it should have been. If it wasn't for this cryptosporidium outbreak people might be booking last minute to get away - that's definitely not going to happen now."
Hallum added businesses in the seaside town had not enjoyed a strong showing of visitors to the area due to poor weather and that the start of the season was in jeopardy of beginning with a poor turnout of holiday goers. Every year thousands of visitors descend on the town and neighbouring areas dubbed the "English Riviera."
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"It's another hurdle to navigate," Hallum told The Mirror. "[It's] something else we have to put up with really. It will take public self confidence to come back. This year we've had bad weather, the cost of living crisis and people tend to book shorter visits. This bug has not helped at all."
People needed to be given bottled water after the outbreak happened (PA)Hallum continued, telling The Mirror the parasite had left other business owners in the area stumped. "We're all a little lost for words," he said. "After the awful start to the year with the weather, which was the worst thing, as soon as the Sun comes out this happens. It's not a good start to the season." Tourism is a major industry in Cornwall and Devon and made an estimated £7.3 billion in visitor-related spend in 2019, the year before the global pandemic.
According to government advice, cryptosporidium can contaminate untreated or poorly treated water as well as several other caused. In order to avoid contamination, it recommends the following advice:
Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water:
- Before preparing and eating food
- After handling raw food
- After going to the toilet or changing a baby’s nappy
- After working with, feeding, grooming or playing with pets and other animals
If you are infected, you must be aware it is highly infectious, so you need to be very clean around your home for at least 48 hours after symptoms stop. You should also do the following to avoid passing on the illness:
- Wash all dirty clothes, bedding and towels on the hottest possible cycle of the washing machine
- Make sure that everyone has their own towel and that they do not use anybody else’s
- Clean toilet seats, toilet bowls, flush handles, taps and wash hand basins after use with detergent and hot water, followed by a household disinfectant
- Not go swimming or take your child swimming while suffering from diarrhoea and for 2 weeks after the diarrhoea has stopped
- Not prepare food for others until you have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours
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