NSW and Queensland health authorities warn swimmers of cryptosporidium parasite risks

Amid a surge in infections, health authorities in NSW and Queensland are urging people with diarrhoea to avoid swimming pools and open water and ocean beaches.

With almost 500 cases of cryptosporidiosis in NSW this year and 736 in Queensland in January alone, a sharp rise from the five-year state average of 95 for the same time period, NSW Health is advising those with diarrhoea to avoid swimming or sharing towels for at least two weeks after symptoms resolve.

Commonly caught when swimming in water infected with the cryptosporidium parasite, which can survive in chlorinated water for many days, it affects the intestine, causing diarrhoea as well as nausea, vomiting, headache, fever and loss of appetite.

Urging parents to be especially vigilant about where and when they let their children swim, Health Protection NSW Executive Director, Dr Jeremy McAnulty advised “the parasite survives for many days, even in chlorinated pools, and in the past very large outbreaks have been caused by people who had recently been infected going swimming.

“Almost half of the cases reported this year had been swimming during their exposure period, and with such a high proportion of young children affected and with many schools about to hold swimming carnivals, we’re urging parents to stay alert for symptoms.

“With many schools about to hold swimming carnivals, we’re urging parents to stay alert for symptoms.”

NSW Health is also recommending avoiding swallowing water while swimming, as well as for people to wash their hands, and treating water before drinking it.

University of New South Wales Associate Professor and infectious diseases scientist, Holly Seale, said “people don’t appreciate how easily” infections such as cryptosporidiosis can be transmitted across communities.

Associate Professor Seale noted “if you have very young kids all together in a close environment, things can spread quickly and once a child goes down it’s often the parents who follow next.”

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