Cryptosporidiosis outbreak in Victoria, Australia

9/01/2008 - Victorians are being reminded about the importance of good personal hygiene, including hand washing, after an outbreak of gastroenteritis last month.

Victoria's chief health minister John Carnie said there were 106 cases of gastro caused by the cryptosporidium parasite last month with symptoms including watery diarrhoea, stomach cramps and vomiting.

This compared to the December average of 34 cases.

Dr Carnie said cryptosporidiosis is typically caused by swallowing contaminated water, overseas travel, person to person contact and contact with animals, especially farm animals.

"We tend to see an increase in the number of cases during the warmer months as people flock to public swimming pools," Dr Carnie said.

He said the cryptosporidium parasite cannot be killed by normal levels of chlorination and urged people who have had diarrhoea not to go to a public swimming pool for at least 14 days after the symptoms have stopped.

"In addition, people need to be reminded about the importance of hand washing and good personal hygiene to prevent passing on the parasite to other family members or work colleagues and friends," Dr Carnie said.

Source: AAP NewsWire


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