 Householders are being advised to boil their drinking water |
Tests on water supplies in part of Norfolk have discovered a parasite that can cause severe diarrhoea. About 6,000 people in the North Walsham area are being advised to boil their drinking and cooking water after the cryptosporidium parasite was found.
Anglian Water said Thursday's heavy rains may have affected supplies to households in North Walsham, Swanton Abbott, Skeyton and Felmingham.
Bottled water is being supplied to vulnerable people.
Several symptoms
Andrew Mackintosh from Anglian Water said it could be several days before tap water was back up to standard.
The cryptosporidium parasite thrives in the dung of farm animals and pets and may be washed into rivers and streams by rain.
The symptoms, which usually only last for a few days, can include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, upset stomach and a slight fever.
However, illness tends to strike older people and children.
The parasite can easily be filtered out of water supplies due to its size.
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