Health officials are warning people who have recently had diarrhoea not to go swimming for at least two weeks afterward due to a rise in the number of Cryptosporidiosis cases. New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland have seen a significant increase in infections compared to previous years. NSW has reported 498 cases of cryptosporidiosis this year, compared to the usual five-year average of 95. Similarly, Queensland has seen over 823 infections compared to just 56 cases in January 2023.
Cryptosporidiosis is a disease caused by a parasite that infects the intestine and typically results in watery diarrhoea and stomach cramps. An occasional fever, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite may also occur. Young children, especially those under ten, are particularly prone to contracting this disease, accounting for nearly half of the cases in NSW.
People with weakened immune systems are at risk of developing a serious, chronic, and sometimes fatal illness from cryptosporidiosis. The parasite, Cryptosporidium, survives for days and can be swallowed while swimming in contaminated water. As a result, health officials are urging people to avoid swimming after experiencing diarrhoea for at least two weeks.
There is a delay of two to 10 days, with an average of seven days, between becoming infected with the parasite and developing symptoms. After the symptoms have cleared, people should still avoid sharing towels for two weeks and handling food for 48 hours. Children who have recently had diarrhoea should be kept home from school for 24 hours after their symptoms have stopped.
The disease is typically spread through contaminated water, and therefore, people are advised to wash their hands thoroughly and regularly, avoid swallowing water, and refrain from swimming in waterways and beaches after heavy rain. It’s also worth noting that cryptosporidiosis cases are more common during the warmer months when more people are swimming in pools. Lastly, boiling water is an effective method of killing the Cryptosporidium parasite.