A mother reveals that her seven-year-old daughter now avoids going near the ocean after contracting a parasite during a family trip to Cornwall last summer. The young girl, Willow Clarke, suffered severe symptoms for 12 days, including frequent vomiting, weight loss, and delirium, before being diagnosed with cryptosporidium, a parasite commonly found in feces that can contaminate water sources.
Willow’s illness was so debilitating that she had to miss being a bridesmaid at her aunt’s wedding, a moment she had eagerly anticipated. This incident has brought attention to the potential health risks associated with swimming in the sea due to concerns about sewage contamination.
The family’s ordeal is reminiscent of a similar case featured in a Channel 4 docu-drama, where an eight-year-old girl named Heather Preen succumbed to e.coli after visiting a beach in Devon. Despite suspicions of sewage contamination, water authorities have consistently denied any responsibility.
Alice Clarke, Willow’s mother, recounted the day they visited Carlyon Bay in Cornwall, noting that Willow did not ingest seawater during their brief time in the sea. However, shortly after their visit, Willow began showing symptoms, leading to a harrowing ordeal of continuous vomiting and dehydration.
After seeking medical advice, Willow was diagnosed with cryptosporidium, a condition that required weeks of care and recovery. The traumatic experience has left lasting emotional scars on Willow, who now avoids the sea out of fear. Alice is certain that Willow’s illness was caused by exposure to contaminated seawater, as there were no other plausible explanations.
The financial strain of caring for her daughter during this time has also taken a toll on Alice, who had to take time off work as a self-employed single parent. Despite South West Water’s denial of sewage overflow at Carlyon Bay, there remains a possibility that the parasite could have originated elsewhere.
Health authorities suggest that cryptosporidium can survive in seawater for extended periods, raising concerns about water quality and public safety. The family’s experience serves as a cautionary tale about the potential risks of waterborne illnesses and the importance of water quality monitoring to prevent such incidents.