Cryptosporidiosis is an infection of the intestines caused by a very small parasite called cryptosporidium. It affects both people and animals, including chickens, fish, cats, dogs and livestock. It is believed only a few parasite eggs are needed to cause illness.
Symptoms usually start 2 to 10 days after exposure to the parasite. Not everyone who is infected will feel sick. If symptoms do occur, they may include watery diarrhea, cramps, nausea, vomiting, and mild fever. Symptoms may come and go, but usually go away for good after 30 days. Infections may be life-threatening in people with weakened immune-systems, such as those with AIDS or cancer.
Outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis have occurred in daycare centres and in locations where drinking water or swimming pools have been contaminated. In many cases, the source of the infection is hard to determine.
Cryptosporidium is often found in the bowels of infected animals. These animals may have a bowel movement in or near water and transfer the parasite to the water. The infection can also be spread from hand to mouth contact, for example by touching an infected animal with your hands and not washing your hands before eating.
A person can also become infected by hand to mouth transfer of the parasite from contaminated surfaces or items. This is possible because the parasite can live outside the body for several months under moist conditions.
- Thorough handwashing is the best prevention. Make sure hands are washed properly after using the toilet, handling diapers, pets, or livestock and before preparing foods.
- Avoid drinking water directly from rivers, creeks or lakes and when you are unsure whether the water has been properly treated (such as during foreign travel).
- Unpasteurized milk or milk products should also be avoided.
- When travelling, camping or hiking, or if a boil water advisory has been issued, bring the water to a rolling boil for five full minutes. This water should be used for drinking, brushing teeth, rinsing dentures or contact lenses, making ice cubes, washing uncooked fruit and vegetables and in recipes that require water. Dishes should be washed with water that has been boiled.