Cryptosporidiosis is a gastrointestinal illness which spreads easily from person to person. It can be contracted by swallowing contaminated water.
Escaping the heat with a dip in the local pool or trip to a water park are summer staples - but ensuring fond memories relies on everybody prioritising good hygiene habits.
Every year in Queensland, we see hundreds of cryptosporidiosis cases.
Cryptosporidiosis is a gastrointestinal illness caused by a parasite called Cryptosporidium, also known as crypto, and is a frequent cause of acute diarrhoea.
Crypto spreads easily from person to person, especially in household and childcare settings, from contaminated food and water and handling infected pets and farm animals.
It can also be contracted by swallowing contaminated recreational water at swimming pools and splash parks – with this particular risk increasing as we head into the summer months and more people are enjoying time in the water.
Crypto cases are most common in children up to the age of nine and among adults aged between 30-39.
While crypto is not unique to Queensland, Queensland consistently records higher numbers of crypto than anywhere else in Australia, recording its highest number of reported cases in 2024.
More than 6100 cases were recorded across the state in 2024, which is more than four times higher than the total for 2023, and almost eight times higher than the five-year average.
The good news is that case numbers are currently trending lower. Up until the end of November this year, Queensland had recorded only 630 cases of crypto.
Annual crypto notifications tend to fluctuate in Queensland, with peaks every three to five years, and we are now seeing a return to baseline levels.
Dr Heidi Carroll from Queensland Health’s Communicable Diseases Branch said it was important Queenslanders take precautions to protect themselves and the wider community through good hygiene practices.
“Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet and changing nappies. Also, clean your toddler’s or baby’s hands after a nappy change,” Dr Carroll said.
“Children who have had diarrhoea should not return to school or childcare until at least 24 hours after their symptoms have stopped, and food handlers and health care workers should stay away from work for at least 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea and maintain strict hand hygiene.
“Because people with cryptosporidiosis can remain infectious even after symptoms settle, they should avoid swimming while they have diarrhoea and for two weeks after it has stopped,” Dr Carroll said.
Along with watery diarrhoea, crypto symptoms may include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, headache and loss of appetite.
Dr Carroll said anyone who developed crypto should keep up their fluid intake to avoid dehydration.
“If your symptoms are severe, prolonged, or becoming worse, seek medical advice,” she said.
People with weakened immune systems are at increased risk of severe or prolonged illness and may need to seek medical advice early.
DO:
- Wash fruit and vegetables before eating them
- Boil untreated water of an unknown quality for at least one minute before drinking
- Shower before and after swimming in pools and splash parks
- Wash your hands thoroughly:
- after using the toilet or changing nappies
- before handling food or eating
- after contact with pets, cattle or other farm animals and after cleaning up animal faeces
- after gardening or other direct contact with soil
DON’T:
- Drink untreated water or inadequately filtered water
- Swallow water in swimming pools or other recreational bodies of water
- Swim in natural waters (rivers, creeks, dams, surf) within a week after heavy periods of rain
- Share linen and towels while diarrhoea is present and for two weeks after diarrhoea has stopped
- Consume unpasteurized milk products
For more information visit the Queensland Health Cryptosporidiosis factsheet.