Cryptosporidiosis

Cryptosporidiosis is a form of gastroenteritis that is caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium. Once the parasites are taken in by mouth, Cryptosporidiosis can occur. [1] Outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis have been linked with public swimming pools and contaminated water supplies. Cryptosporidium is a type of protozoa, and infects humans through ingestion of their cysts on hands, water or foods that have been contaminated with faecal matter. Once in the human body the cysts are activated by the acid in the stomach which leads to excystment in the small intestine. Upon oocyst excystation, four sporozoites (its motile infectious agents) are released these then adhere their apical ends to the surface of the intestinal mucosa. [2] Which is shown in

Since the pool is the source of the outbreak, to prevent the spreading of the infection caused by the public pool then all the water from the pool must be emptied then all surfaces must be sterilized and well cleaned, to make sure no Cryptosporidium parasites are remaining. These parasites are located in the bowels of humans and some animals. The infection often spreads when infected people do not wash their hands properly after going to the toilet, the infection can then spread when people touch contaminated surfaces or drink contaminated water and swallow contaminated swimming pool water. [5] Since there are so many people in a public swimming pool it is easy for the infection to spread and lead to an outbreak. Once someone is infected the typical symptoms of Cryptosporidiosis includes; watery diarrhoea, stomach cramps, bloating, vomiting, fever. [6] The majority of people recover without therapy however children, the elderly and the immune compromised are at risk. There is no known safe and effective therapy for gastroenteritis caused by cryptosporidium. Therefore since cryptosporidiosis is a self-limiting illness in individuals with weakened immune systems, then supportive care is the only treatment for the illness. However, if the patient’s symptoms are persistent and severe, specifically in the case of diarrhoea, then they require oral or IV rehydration as the diarrhoea is causing them to lose essential electrolytes, which can lead to further