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Factsheet

Last updated: 01 April 2012

What is cryptosporidiosis?

• Cryptosporidiosis is a diarrhoeal disease caused by the parasite, Cryptosporidium, which infects the intestine.
• Cryptosporidium infections have been reported in humans and in a variety of farm, pet and native animals.
• Although there are several species of Cryptosporidium, only Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis are thought to cause infection in humans.

What are the symptoms?

• The most common symptom of cryptosporidiosis are watery diarrhoea and stomach cramps. Other symptoms may include fever, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. Some people with the infection have no symptoms at all.
• The first signs of illness appear between 1-12 days (average 7 days) after a person becomes infected.
• Symptoms may come and go and may last days to weeks. People with a weak immune system may have more severe symptoms that can last for months.

How is it spread?

Cryptosporidium is present in the faeces matter of infected humans and animals. Infection occurs when the parasite is ingested. Transmission most often occurs through:

• person-to-person contact, particularly in families and among small children (for example, in child care centres)
• drinking contaminated water
• swimming in contaminated pools
• handling infected animals or their manure
• food (in rare cases).

A person is most infectious when they have diarrhoea, but the parasite may be excreted for several days after symptoms disappear.

Who is at risk?

People who are most likely to become infected with Cryptosporidium include:

• people in close contact with others who have cryptosporidiosis
• children who attend day care, including children in nappies
• parents of infected children
• child care workers
• swimmers who swallow even small amounts of swimming pool water
• people who drink untreated water (for example, from rivers or lakes).
• travellers to developing countries
• people who work with animals
• men who have sex with men

People with weakened immune systems are at risk for more serious disease and should see their doctor if symptoms develop.

How is it prevented?

To avoid catching cryptosporidiosis:

• wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 10 seconds after using the toilet, handling animals or their manure, changing nappies, working in the garden and before preparing food or drinks
• do NOT drink untreated water (for example, from lakes or streams). Boiling water will kill Cryptosporidium
• avoid swallowing water when swimming
• avoid swimming in natural waters (eg rivers, creeks, dams, surf) within a week after heavy rain

When travelling in developing countries, avoid food or drinks that may be contaminated (for example, raw vegetables, tap water or ice made from tap water).

To avoid spreading cryptosporidiosis, people with cryptosporidiosis should:

• not swim for at least two weeks after the diarrhoea has stopped
• not share towels or linen for at least two weeks after the diarrhoea has stopped
• not handle food for at least 48 hours after the diarrhoea has stopped.

Children who have diarrhoea should be kept home from school, preschool, childcare or playgroup until 24 hours after the diarrhoea has completely stopped.

How is it diagnosed?

Cyptosporidiosis is confirmed by going to a doctor and having a stool specimen tested.

How is it treated?

There is no specific treatment for cryptosporidiosis. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

What is the public health response?

Laboratories are required to notify cases of cryptosporidiosis to the local Public Health Unit under the Public Health Act, 1991. Public Health Units investigate cases, and review possible sources of infection to prevent further spread.

Further information - Public Health Units in NSW
For more information please contact your doctor, local public health unit or community health centre - look under NSW Government at the front of the White Pages
Metropolitan Areas	Location	Number	Rural Areas	Location	Number
Northern Sydney/Central Coast	Hornsby	02 9477 9400	Greater Southern	Goulburn	02 4824 1837
	Gosford	02 4349 4845		Albury	02 6080 8900
South Eastern Sydney/Illawarra	Randwick	02 9382 8333	Greater Western	Broken Hill	08 8080 1499
	Wollongong	02 4221 6700		Dubbo	02 6841 5569
Sydney South West	Camperdown	02 9515 9420		Bathurst	02 6339 5601
Sydney West	Penrith	02 4734 2022	Hunter/New England	Newcastle	02 4924 6477
	Parramatta	02 9840 3603		Tamworth	02 6764 8000
Justice Health Service	Matraville	02 9311 2707	North Coast	Port Macquarie	02 6588 2750
				Lismore	02 6620 7585