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Cryptosporidiosis - the facts

What is Cryptosporidiosis?

Cryptosporidiosis is a type of gastroenteritis (gastro) caused by a parasite Cryptosporidium which lives in the bowel. Anyone can be infected by cryptosporidiosis.

What are the symptoms of Cryptosporidiosis?

The most common symptoms of cryptosporidiosis are diarrhoea and stomach cramps.

The disease may sometimes be mild but it can be a life threatening illness in people whose immune systems are already weakened by disease.

After infection it usually takes between one and twelve days before you become ill. To trace the cause of the illness, it is necessary to know where you were and what you ate and drank in the two weeks before you became ill.

Illness may last several weeks.

Where are Cryptosporidiosis found?

Cryptosporidiosis are found in humans and in wild, pet and farm animals.

How is Cryptosporidiosis spread?

Cryptosporidiosis occurs when Cryptosporidia parasites are taken in by mouth and the most common way this happens is by person-to-person spread.

People with cryptosporidiosis have Cryptosporidia parasites in their faeces. If these people do not wash their hands properly after going to the toilet, then contaminated hands can spread the parasites to surfaces and objects which will be touched by other people.

Contaminated hands can also spread the parasites to food which may be eaten by other people.

Hands can also become contaminated with parasites when a person changes the nappy of an infant with cryptosporidiosis.

People and animals can carry Cryptosporidia in their faeces without having any symptoms. These people or animals can still pass the disease on to others.

Pets, farm animals, contaminated drinking water and unpasteurised milk can also spread infection.

I think I may have Cryptosporidiosis - what should I do?

If you have symptoms of cryptosporidiosis, report them to your doctor immediately. This will ensure that you receive proper treatment and advice and that steps are taken to reduce the spread of the disease.

Can I still work?

Food handlers, child care workers and health care workers with cryptosporidiosis must not work until symptoms have stopped.

Children must not attend child care centres, kindergartens or school until symptoms have stopped.

How can I stop spreading it to my family?

In your household, the risk of spreading cryptosporidiosis can be reduced. It is very important that people with cryptosporidiosis or gastroenteritis do not prepare or handle food which will be eaten by other people and that no one else shares their towel or face washer.

How can I avoid getting Cryptosporidiosis?

By Following the guidelines below, everyone can do something to avoid getting cryptosporidiosis.

Careful hand washing

Everyone should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and hot running water for at least ten seconds:

• before preparing food
• before eating
• after going to the toilet or changing nappies
• after smoking
• after using a tissue or handkerchief
• after working in the garden
• after playing with pets

Food handlers should use disposable paper towels or an air dryer to dry their hands. Cloth towels are not recommended as they get dirty quickly and can spread germs from one person to another.

Safe food storage and handling

1. Thoroughly cook all raw foods
2. Thoroughly wash raw vegetables before eating
3. Reheat food until the internal temperature of the food reaches at least 75 °C

Note for microwave oven users

Remember that part of the microwave cooking process involves standing time. If a microwave oven is used, read the manufacturer's instructions carefully and observe these standing times to ensure that the food is completely cooked before it is eaten.

Household cleaning

Bathrooms and toilets must be cleaned often to avoid the spread of infections. Pay particular attention to toilet seats and handles, taps and nappy change tables.

Sandpits can become contaminated with animal faeces and urine. Rake the sand frequently and remove any animal faeces. Cover the area when not in use.

Water from untreated sources

Untreated water that comes directly from lakes or rivers may be contaminated by faeces from people or animals. Boil water from these sources before drinking it.

Swimming pools

Cryptosporidiosis may be spread through swallowing contaminated swimming pool water. Small children should not use pools for 4 weeks after diarrhoea stops; others may swim again after one week provided they shower carefully beforehand.

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