CRYPTOSPORIDIUM
- A WATER BUG
BUGS IN THE WATER?
Crypotosporidium is a microscopic parasite, which if swallowed,
causes severe diarrhoea and stomach cramps. The Eastern Health Board
says there is no link between the current cases and last year’s
outbreak, but they’ve been unable, so far, to pinpoint the
source of the infection.
Health Officials were urged to keep the public fully informed about
the latest outbreak. Earlier in the week the number of cases was
officially in the 50’s - but Dr Paul Darragh, Consultant in
Public Health Medicine told On Your Behalf that the numbers
have risen.
The Eastern Health Board is
working with the Water Service and environmental health officers
to establish why the number of illnesses has risen in the Belfast
area.
THE FACTS:-
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Cryptosporidium
is a microscopic parasite which, if swallowed, can cause severe
diarrhoea and stomach cramps. It exists naturally in the wider
environment and is commonly found in farm animals and their
faeces. It is also but less frequently - found in the stomach
and intestines of people. It can be transmitted to people through
infection from another person, contact with an infected animal
or by contaminated water or food. There has been increased awareness
of the possibility of water borne outbreaks through failures
in water treatment or run-offs of water from farmland. |
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The
delay between ingestion and displaying symptoms can be up to
two weeks, and illness can persist for 7 - 10 days. This means
that the total number of confirmed cases o the infection may
rise over the next week to 10 days. However the Eastern Health
Board say that if people practice good hygiene, the number of
people falling ill should soon show a decrease. There is no
effective specific treatment. |
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This
includes handwashing when eating or using the bathroom, and
avoid handling or preparing food for others when ill. Cryptosporidium
normally poses little risk to people who are fit and healthy.
The illness usually clear up in around 3 - 10 days and most
people suffer no lasting effect upon their health. |
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However,
elderly people and those already suffering from other serious
health problems such as cancer, can be at greater risk. Because
their ability to fight infection is poorer, the illness can
be more serious for them and they will take longer to recover.
People with severely impaired immunity - caused, for example,
by AIDS, chemotherapy or major operations - should boil all
water, including bottled, before consumption. |
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Anyone
suffering acute gastroenteritits or diarrhoea should contact
their GP. If he or shee thinks you have taken ill because of
cryptosporidium he will arrange for you to be tested for the
infection. |
If a medical test confirms
that you have the infection the best treatment is simply to drink
plenty of fluids and to rest. No specific medication is available
and antibiotics are unhelpful.
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