13 December 2005

Cryptosporidiosis cases soar in rural NSW

A large outbreak of cryptosporidiosis cases has occurred in NSW, particularly in rural areas, with 136 cases reported for November - three times the number of cases reported for the same month last year.

NSW Health Director of Communicable Diseases, Dr Jeremy McAnulty, says an increase in calf 'scours' (diarrhoea), may have caused the significant rise in cryptosporidiosis in rural areas.

"People in rural areas, especially those working closely with cattle, should take extra care to wash their hands after touching farm animals, or their faeces, and be careful not to drink untreated water," warns Dr McAnulty.

"Cryptosporidiosis can be transmitted by direct contact with animals that carry the infection, contact with people who are sick with the illness, drinking contaminated water or swallowing contaminated water while swimming. However this disease does not relate to eating beef products.

"To reduce further infections from this disease people should not go swimming if they have had diarrhoea, for at last one week after complete recovery," urged Dr McAnulty.

Cryptosporidiosis is a diarrhoeal disease caused by an infection in the intestine. The most common symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting and sometimes fever.

There is no specific treatment for the condition but most healthy people recover within several days or weeks.

The community is advised to follow these health and safety tips to help reduce the chance of contracting the infection:

• Always wash your hands with soap and running water after going to the toilet or coming into contact with animals
• Do not drink untreated water or swallow pool water
• Do not swim in a pool or spa until at least a week after you have completely recovered from diarrhoea
• Do not prepare food for others for at least 48 hours after you have completely recovered from diarrhoea
• Water taken directly from a creek, river or lake should be brought to a rolling boil (and allowed to cool) before drinking. Otherwise the water should be filtered and disinfected using a treatment system certified against the standards to remove cryptosporidium (eg AS/NZS 4348 or NASI/NSF 53)

The following table shows a breakdown of cryptosporidium cases by Area Health Service.

A cryptosporidiosis fact sheet is available on the NSW Health website at www.health.nsw.gov.au

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au