A mother reveals that her seven-year-old daughter has developed a fear of the sea following a parasitic infection she contracted while on a family vacation in Cornwall last summer. Little Willow Clarke experienced 12 days of intense suffering, including frequent vomiting, significant weight loss, and periods of delirium. The diagnosis revealed she had caught cryptosporidium, a harmful bug commonly found in human and animal waste that contaminates various water sources. Her mother, Alice, suspects Willow got infected after swimming in the sea that day.
Willow’s illness was so severe that she missed the opportunity to be a bridesmaid at her aunt’s wedding, a moment she had eagerly anticipated. This incident has drawn attention to the potential health risks associated with swimming in the sea, particularly due to the discharge of raw sewage by water companies.
Alice, a former self-employed cleaner now working as a special needs teaching assistant, vividly recalls the events at Carlyon Bay in Cornwall. Despite Willow not swallowing any seawater during their brief time in the sea, she fell ill shortly after. Willow’s condition deteriorated rapidly, with persistent vomiting for nearly two weeks, leading to dehydration and exhaustion.
Seeking medical help after days of relentless symptoms, Willow was diagnosed with cryptosporidium and eventually showed signs of improvement. However, the mental trauma lingers, as Willow now avoids the sea entirely due to fear stemming from her harrowing experience. Alice firmly believes that the sea was the source of the infection, as they took precautions like using bottled water while on their holiday.
The financial strain of caring for Willow during her illness took a toll on Alice, a single parent, who had to take a significant break from work. South West Water denied any responsibility for the incident, stating they do not have storm overflows at Carlyon Bay. The possibility that the parasite originated from another source remains, with studies indicating that cryptosporidium can survive in seawater for up to 12 weeks.
The lasting impact of this traumatic event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of water safety and hygiene practices in recreational settings.