A mother shares that her seven-year-old daughter now avoids going near the ocean after contracting a parasite during a family trip to Cornwall last summer. Little Willow Clarke recalls enduring 12 days of intense suffering, including frequent vomiting, significant weight loss, and moments of delirium.
Willow was diagnosed with cryptosporidium, a parasite commonly found in human and animal waste that can contaminate water sources. Her mother, Alice, believes Willow caught the parasite while in the sea. The severity of the illness forced Willow to miss being a bridesmaid at her aunt’s wedding, a moment she had eagerly anticipated.
This incident adds to concerns raised by activists regarding the health risks of swimming in seas contaminated by raw sewage discharges from water companies. The story is reminiscent of the case of eight-year-old Heather Preen, who contracted e.coli during a trip to a Devon beach in 1999. Heather’s family suspects her death was linked to exposure to raw sewage, although South West Water denies any responsibility.
Alice, her sister, and six-year-old Willow visited Carlyon Bay in Cornwall on August 19 last year. Despite Willow not ingesting seawater during their brief time in the sea, she fell ill shortly after. Alice recalls Willow feeling extremely fatigued and developing a high temperature within hours of the beach visit. Willow’s condition deteriorated rapidly, with persistent vomiting for almost two weeks.
After seeking medical attention, it was confirmed that Willow had cryptosporidium. Her recovery was slow but eventually positive. However, the traumatic experience left lasting mental scars on Willow, who now avoids the sea altogether. Alice is convinced that Willow’s illness was linked to their time in the sea, as they had taken precautions like using bottled water during their trip.
The financial strain of taking time off work to care for Willow added to the family’s ordeal. South West Water expressed regret over Willow’s illness but denied any sewage overflow at Carlyon Bay. There is a possibility that the parasite could have come from another source, as studies suggest cryptosporidium can survive in seawater for extended periods.
The family hopes to raise awareness of the risks associated with contaminated water sources and the importance of water safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.