Doctor explains Cryptosporidium outbreak | Causes, symptoms, treatment, prevention

Dr O'Donovan explains key things you need to know about the parasitic infection cryptosporidium - including causes, symptoms, treatment and how to prevent it.

On 15 May 2024 the UK Health Security Agency (UK HSA) confirmed an area in South Devon, UK was affected by a waterborne parasite known as cryptosporidium.

It can cause diarrhoea, stomach pains, nausea or vomiting, low-grade fever and loss of appetite which can last up to two weeks.

South West Water is continuing to ask residents to boil drinking water and collect free bottled water as it searches for the "root cause".

A Brixham primary school has closed due to not having drinking water for pupils.

What causes cryptosporidiosis?

Cryptosporidiosis is caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium. Once inside your body, the parasite passes through your digestive tract and infects your intestines and stool. Anything contaminated with the infected stool can pass the infection on to other people.

What are the symptoms of cryptosporidiosis?

Each person may have slightly different symptoms. These are the most common symptoms: Diarrhea, Loose or watery stools, Vomiting, Weight loss, Stomach cramps, Fever.

You may not have any symptoms. If symptoms do develop, they often last about 2 weeks and sometimes longer. But even if you have no symptoms, the parasite is passed in your stool for up to 2 months. During this time, you are at risk of spreading the infection to others.

CONTENT AND TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction
00:50 - Symptoms of cryptosporidium
01:41 - Prevention of cryptosporidium
03:37 - Treatment of cryptosporidium

RESOURCES:

UK HSA: https://www.gov.uk/government/collect...

European Centre for disease prevention and control: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/cryptos...

Johns Hopkins information (USA): https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healt...

BBC News article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c...

If you are concerned about anything related to your health, see your own health provider.

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