Latest news with #cryptosporidium
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Water firm's losses deepen after Devon parasite outbreak
South West Water's parent company has reported widening losses following a parasite outbreak in Group posted a pre-tax loss of £72.7m for the year ending March, a sharp increase from the £9.1m loss recorded the previous year. A major contributor was the cryptosporidium outbreak in Brixham, south Devon, which cost the company about £21m, it increased water bills by 28% on average from April, which it said would fund ongoing investment plans. The parasite outbreak, which contaminated the local water supply, led to hospitalisations and more than 100 reported cases of illness, including symptoms such as diarrhoea. Pennon said about 800 staff and supply chain partners worked intensively over eight weeks to restore safe drinking water to the affected addition to the outbreak costs, the company also absorbed £15.8m in restructuring expenses over the the financial hit, Pennon said it was pushing ahead with plans to invest £3.2bn in its infrastructure by 2030. The investment will fund new reservoirs, storm overflow repairs, net zero initiatives, and service support this, SWW customers saw their bills rise by an average from April. Customers of Bristol Water and Sutton and East Surrey Water, also owned by Pennon, faced increases of 5% and 3%, respectively. Pennon said the bill hikes would cover about a third of the planned investment. 'Tough decision' "We know customers are worried about rising bills to fund this level of investment," said Susan Davy, chief executive of Pennon. "While we have made the tough decision to put bills up in 2025/26, for the first time in over a decade, two-thirds of our investments are being funded by our supportive investors and debt providers."Ultimately everyone will benefit from the investments we are making, from building reservoirs, to fixing storm overflows, powering our net zero ambitions and helping to create economic growth."Despite ongoing dry weather, Ms Davy said the South West was not expected to face a hosepipe ban this summer. Pennon said it anticipates a return to profitability in the coming year, driven by increased revenues and streamlined business operations. A landmark review by the independent Water Commission found the water sector in England and Wales is failing and needs stronger regulation to better protect billpayers and the environment.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
South West Water owner Pennon says losses deepened after Devon parasite outbreak
South West Water owner Pennon has reported widening losses following a parasite outbreak in Devon, while it said hiking water bills this year would help fund its £3.2 billion investment plans. The utilities firm reported a pre-tax loss of £72.7 million for the year to the end of March, widening from the £9.1 million loss reported last year. Last year's incident in Brixham, south Devon, cost it about £21 million, pushing it deeper into an annual loss, it said. An outbreak of cryptosporidium – a parasite that causes infection – in the water supply left some people in hospital, while more than 100 others reported symptoms including diarrhoea. Pennon said about 800 of its staff and supply chain partners spent eight weeks over the summer working to return safe clean drinking water for people and businesses in the area. The wider annual loss also reflects £15.8 million in costs related to restructuring actions over the year, it revealed. Meanwhile, Pennon said plans to ramp up investment in its infrastructure, and encouraging its customers to use less water to save money, had affected its profitability. The group is targeting £3.2 billion worth of investment by 2030, incorporating work to build new reservoirs, fix storm overflows, meet its net zero commitments, and improve services for customers. Bills for South West Water customers surged by 28% on average from April, while bills for Bristol Water and Sutton and East Surrey (SES) customers are rising by 5% and 3% respectively. Pennon said the bill hikes would help fund around a third of its investments. Susan Davy, Pennon's chief executive, said: 'We know customers are worried about rising bills to fund this level of investment. 'While we have made the tough decision to put bills up in 2025/26 – for the first time in over a decade – two-thirds of our investments are being funded by our supportive investors and debt providers. 'Ultimately everyone will benefit from the investments we are making – from building reservoirs, to fixing storm overflows, powering our net zero ambitions and helping to create economic growth.' She added that, despite persistent dry weather, 'we're predicting that the South West won't need a hosepipe ban this summer'. It is also expecting to return to profitability in the year ahead through increased revenues and shaking up business costs.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
South West Water owner Pennon says losses deepened after Devon parasite outbreak
South West Water owner Pennon has reported widening losses following a parasite outbreak in Devon, while it said hiking water bills this year would help fund its £3.2 billion investment plans. The utilities firm reported a pre-tax loss of £72.7 million for the year to the end of March, widening from the £9.1 million loss reported last year. Last year's incident in Brixham, south Devon, cost it about £21 million, pushing it deeper into an annual loss, it said. An outbreak of cryptosporidium – a parasite that causes infection – in the water supply left some people in hospital, while more than 100 others reported symptoms including diarrhoea. Pennon said about 800 of its staff and supply chain partners spent eight weeks over the summer working to return safe clean drinking water for people and businesses in the area. The wider annual loss also reflects £15.8 million in costs related to restructuring actions over the year, it revealed. Meanwhile, Pennon said plans to ramp up investment in its infrastructure, and encouraging its customers to use less water to save money, had affected its profitability. The group is targeting £3.2 billion worth of investment by 2030, incorporating work to build new reservoirs, fix storm overflows, meet its net zero commitments, and improve services for customers. Bills for South West Water customers surged by 28% on average from April, while bills for Bristol Water and Sutton and East Surrey (SES) customers are rising by 5% and 3% respectively. Pennon said the bill hikes would help fund around a third of its investments. Susan Davy, Pennon's chief executive, said: 'We know customers are worried about rising bills to fund this level of investment. 'While we have made the tough decision to put bills up in 2025/26 – for the first time in over a decade – two-thirds of our investments are being funded by our supportive investors and debt providers. 'Ultimately everyone will benefit from the investments we are making – from building reservoirs, to fixing storm overflows, powering our net zero ambitions and helping to create economic growth.' She added that, despite persistent dry weather, 'we're predicting that the South West won't need a hosepipe ban this summer'. It is also expecting to return to profitability in the year ahead through increased revenues and shaking up business costs. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Cryptosporidium: Infections from Cowbridge petting farm reach 89
The number of people who have contracted a parasitic infection after attending calf and lamb feeding sessions at a farm in south Wales has risen to have been eight new cases of cryptosporidium confirmed by Public Health Wales (PHW), all linked to visits to Cowbridge Farm Shop at Marlborough Grange Farm in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, during March and previously said the infection led to 16 people requiring hospital care for at least one night, including a four-year-old farm shop, which the BBC has approached for comment, voluntarily suspended its feeding and petting sessions on 29 April and is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation, PHW said. Cryptosporidium is commonly associated with contact with farm animals, and can spread easily from person to person and poses increased risk to young children and those with weakened immune typically appear two to 10 days after exposure and can last for up to two warned infection can still spread after symptoms subside and has urged those affected not to go swimming for two Mably, consultant in health protection at PHW, said: "Cryptosporidium usually clears up on its own, but it can cause more serious illness in young children and people with weaker immune systems."She added that the infection can be spread from person to person and the key is "washing your hands properly". Officials from PHW and other agencies met on 24 May for the fifth time since the outbreak began, to co-ordinate the to petting farms are being reminded to avoid close contact with animals, supervise children closely, and wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after touching animals or walking around a hand gels do not provide sufficient women are also being advised to steer clear of new-born lambs during lambing season due to a higher risk of infection. What is cryptosporidium? Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that can cause an unpleasant and sometimes dangerous illness called lives in the intestines of infected humans and animals and is passed out in their can then spread to water sources such as lakes, rivers, and swimming pools, as well as food like raw illness can affect anyone but is most common in children aged one to which can last for around two weeks, include severe watery diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps, nausea, fever, and loss of is no specific treatment but most people feel better within a month.
The Sun
16-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Number of Brits ‘horrendously ill' with parasite after visiting petting farm rises to 81, as 16 in hospital
THE number of people who have fallen sick with an animal-borne bug after visiting a petting farm in Wales has risen to 81, officials have confirmed. Sixteen people have been rushed to hospital after visiting Cowbridge Farm Shop at Marlborough Grange Farm in the Vale of Glamorgan - at least one of these is a four-year-old boy. 6 6 All tested positive for cryptosporidium, also called 'crypto' - a highly contagious parasite that causes diarrhoea and spreads easily between humans and animals. Among the youngest who became ill was little Alba Dobbinson. The eight-year-old was hit with nausea and diarrhoea after feeding lambs at the farm with her mum, Vici, on April 17. Photos show the little girl cuddling the animals and close contact with infected livestock is one of the main ways the bug spreads. Vici said: 'We were stunned because we had only been around other families and couldn't pinpoint where Alba had caught it. 'It's not like a 48-hour bug, it can potentially go on for up to a month." She added: "She can't even go to school, spend time with her friends or enjoy the weather.' Meanwhile, Gareth Carpenter said he had never seen his son Michael so unwell after he was hospitalised, suspected of catching the parasite at the farm. "He's had chicken pox, he's had flu, he has had viruses, he had many, many, many things as you can imagine as kids do when they mix in with other children, but I've never, ever seen him that ill before," he told WalesOnline. "We had to put him back in nappies, just literally leaking. It was horrendous, stomach pains and cramps," he added. The farm voluntarily suspended its feeding and petting sessions on April 29 as health officials continue to investigate the outbreak. 'We are continuing to work with our partners to investigate this outbreak and to reduce the risk of further transmission," Beverley Griggs, from Public Health Wales (PHW), said. All cases have been linked to visits to the farm between March and April 2025. Anyone who took part in the lamb or calf feeding sessions during that time is being urged to contact their GP or call NHS 111 Wales and inform them of the visit - not only those with symptoms. The main symptoms of cryptosporidium infection according to the NHS include: Watery diarrhoea Stomach pains or cramps Nausea Vomiting Mild fever Loss of appetite Weight loss Dehydration 6 6 6 Symptoms usually start two to 10 days after infection and can last for around two weeks once they appear. Sometimes the illness may seem to improve as symptoms ease, but they can return before full recovery. "Cryptosporidium infection often clears up without treatment but, it can be more serious for young children and people with weakened immune systems," Beverley said. 'It is also important to be aware that this infection can be passed from person to person." Due to the bug's highly infectious nature people with symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting are told to stay off work or school until they have been free from these symptoms for at least 48 hours. Touching infected poo and then putting your unwashed hands near your mouth is a common way of catching cryptosporidios. This is because the bug lives in the intestines of infected humans and animals and is passed out in their poo. "Good hand hygiene at home, especially before eating or preparing food, is essential in helping to stop the spread," Beverley added. 6 Previous outbreaks Just last month health chiefs issued a warning to families planning to visit farms this spring, as a rise in temperatures could also see an increase in "harmful" pathogens. Petting zoos in particular can expose visitors to gastrointestinal infections, they said. Last year the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued a warning about the risk of cryptosporidium infection from farm visits. In May 2024, more than 100 people were also infected by cryptosporidium in Brixham, Devon. The outbreak was believed to be linked to water contaminated with infected faeces making its way into the drinking supply. Whole streets in the town were infected, with victims forced to endure days of diarrhoea and agonising stomach cramps, with one sufferer even comparing them to 'childbirth'.
