A nasty parasite that targets young children has been found in parts of north Kent, Public Health England (PHE) has confirmed.

Babies and youngsters, aged one and five years old, are most at risk from the disease known as cryptosporidiosis that can cause fatigue, dehydration and weight loss.

Common symptoms of infected children and people with weak immune systems include mild to severe watery diarrhoea.

Public Health England confirmed there have been 17 cases of cryptosporidiosis found by medical officials in districts across the county - including north Kent - but also added that this figure isn’t any higher than what is normally expected.

The disease is usually caused by the parasites Cryptosporidium hominis and C. parvum.

Although numbers have been declining in the UK for many years, there are still around 4000 recorded cases in England and Wales each year.

PHE has stated that outbreaks of the parasite have been linked to linked to drinking water, swimming pools, person-to-person spread, animal contact and food.

An extra problem with the microbugs is that they are resistant to chlorine so PHE advises additional attention to sanitary care as we move into the summer months.

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