Water bug infections rise to 22

The source of the outbreak was located at Pitsford Reservoir

The number of confirmed cases of cryptosporidiosis related to the Northamptonshire water supply contamination in June has risen to 22.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said it was investigating 33 cases and 22 of those had the same genetic fingerprint as the cases in the water incident.

Anglian Water said the bug was found in treatment works at Pitsford.

At the height of the scare 250,000 water customers in Northampton and Daventry were told to boil tap water.

The symptoms of cryptosporidiosis include diarrhoea, stomach pains, dehydration and fever.

Dr Deborah Modha, for the HPA East Midlands, said earlier: "Although there is no specific treatment for cryptosporidiosis, most people with a healthy immune system should recover within a period of a week or so.

"We usually expect to see an increase in cryptosporidiosis cases during the Spring and Summer months due to increased contact with possible sources of infection such as recreational waters."

The water was confirmed safe to drink on 4 July.