A beachgoer was hospitalized for a month with a parasite after swimming in the sea during a heatwave, believing she swallowed contaminated seawater.
Katherine Hopkins, 35, from Hove, East Sussex, swam in the sea at Hove Lawns for four consecutive days from May 23, and also took a quick dip at Lancing Beach in West Sussex. About 10 days later, she began suffering agonizing stomach cramps and had to use the toilet up to 30 times a day.
Tests at Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton revealed she had contracted cryptosporidium, a microscopic parasite that causes the intestinal illness cryptosporidiosis.
Vulnerable patient
Katherine, a former tattoo artist who had a kidney transplant in 2010, believes she ingested the parasite by splashing seawater on her face. She said she swam for "three to four hours at a time" and never put her head underwater.
After a month in hospital, she was discharged two-and-a-half stone lighter, having survived on a liquid diet. She still experiences symptoms and fears others could fall ill if they swim in the same waters.
Water quality concerns
Katherine said there were no signs warning against swimming, and the water didn't look visibly dirty. She added: "I was going to the toilet 20 to 30 times and I was so dehydrated. When I tried to drink water, it would just come straight out."
Cryptosporidiosis symptoms typically begin two to 10 days after infection. The parasite lives in the intestines of infected humans and animals and can enter water through agricultural runoff, storm overflows, or sewage discharges.
Official response
An Environment Agency spokesperson said: "Our seas, rivers and lakes naturally contain bacteria, some of which can cause illness. Additional bacteria can enter from farm runoff, sewage works and storm overflows, especially after heavy rain." They noted that this bathing water is regularly monitored and there were no signs of impact on water quality on this occasion.
Southern Water said no storm overflow occurred at the nearest locations during the times Katherine swam. A spokesperson said Hove's bathing water is rated 'Excellent' by the Environment Agency, with the nearest storm overflow more than two miles offshore. They added that samples taken by the EA on May 15, 21, and 27 showed no faecal indicators.
Katherine said: "I think the beach should be shut off - there were so many kids swimming in there and god forbid if they were to get this. I was really shocked - I never thought I'd go in the sea and contract a parasite. People should be able to go in the sea without getting ill."
