Cryptosporidiosis

Cryptosporidiosis is an infection caused by a parasite called Cryptosporidium.

Symptoms

The symptoms usually include watery diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Fever, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite may also occur. Symptoms usually start from 1 to 12 days (average 7 days) after a person becomes infected.

Symptoms may come and go and can last from days to weeks. Symptoms may be severe and longer lasting in people with weakened immune systems.

How cryptosporidiosis is spread

The Cryptosporidium parasite is found in the faeces of infected humans or animals. You can become unwell after swallowing the parasite.

Infection can occur through:

• person-to-person contact, particularly from young children to other children or their carers
• swallowing contaminated water from rivers, streams, springs, ponds, lakes, swimming pools, the sea, bores or wells
• handling infected animals or their manure
• sexual contact with the risk of faecal exposure
• drinking untreated milk
• eating undercooked food, fruit or vegetables that have been contaminated or washed with contaminated water.

While people are most infectious when they have diarrhoea, they can still pass the infection on to others for several weeks after their symptoms have resolved.

Treatment

Most people usually recover with rest and extra fluids. Medication is generally not recommended but may be prescribed by doctors in complicated cases.

Who is at risk of infection

Cryptosporidium can infect anyone. However, those who are most likely to become infected with Cryptosporidium include:

• people in close contact with others who have cryptosporidiosis
• children who attend childcare
• parents of infected children
• health care and childcare workers
• swimmers who swallow even small amounts of recreational swimming water
• people who drink untreated water
• international travellers, particularly to or from developing areas
• 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.

Prevention

Hand washing

Hand washing is a very effective way of preventing person-to-person spread of Cryptosporidium.

Hands should be washed with soap and running water for between 10 to 15 seconds:

• after going to the toilet or changing nappies
• after handling animals or their manure
• after working in the garden
• before preparing food or drinks
• before eating.

Nappy changing

Nappies should not be changed on tables or counters where food is prepared or eaten. Change areas should be cleaned with warm soapy water and disinfectant after every nappy change.

Do not drink unpasteurised milk or untreated water

People should avoid drinking unpasteurised milk or untreated water, for example from rivers, creeks, lakes, or dams. If untreated water is the only available source, boiling water will kill Cryptosporidium. Avoid swimming in natural waters such as rivers, creeks, dams, surf within a week after heavy rain.

Safe food handling

Make sure all foods are cooked thoroughly and wash or peel all raw vegetables and fruits before eating.

Staying home from school or work

People with Cryptosporidium infections should not attend school or work until their diarrhoea has completely stopped.

Children should not attend childcare until they have been free of symptoms for at least 24 hours. People who work at healthcare facilities, childcare centres, schools and food handlers should not work until they have been free of symptoms for at least 48 hours.

People with cryptosporidiosis should not swim, wade, or paddle in swimming pools or recreational water facilities for at least two weeks after diarrhoea has stopped. Also, towels and linen should not be shared for at least two weeks after diarrhoea has stopped.

More information

Cryptosporidiosis is a notifiable condition. For more information on Cryptosporidium infections contact your doctor or call the Health Protection Service, Communicable Disease Control Information Line during business hours on 02 5124 9213.

Acknowledgement

Heymann, DL. Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, 20th edition, 2015.