Te Upoko o Te Ika a Māui / the Wellington region is currently seeing an increase in cases of cryptosporidiosis, a disease caused by the Cryptosporidium parasite
This include 8 cases in Te Awakairangi / Hutt Valley.
According to Te Whatu Ora, a number of these cases of cryptosporidiosis are connected to use of swimming pools.
Symptoms of cryptosporidiosis include...
Watery diarrhoea (most common)
Stomach cramps (most common)
Fever
Nausea
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
How cryptosporidiosis spreads
You can get infected with cryptosporidiosis by swallowing the Cryptosporidium parasite or its eggs, which live in the faeces of infected humans and animals. Ways you might come into contact with the parasite include:
swimming in contaminated water
touching infected animals or their manure
drinking contaminated water
person-to-person contact with someone who's been infected
eating contaminated food
Cryptosporidiosis is easily spread within a household, especially households with tamariki.
You can help prevent the spread of cryptosporidiosis by...
Always washing hands well with soap and water after using the toilet, touching animals, changing nappies, and working in the garden, and before preparing foods or drinks
Not drinking untreated water
Not swallowing water when swimming
Not swimming in natural waterways and beaches during and in the days following heavy rain
If you experience diarrhoea:
staying home until at least 48 hours after it has stopped
not swimming until at least 2 weeks after it has stopped
not sharing towels or linen until at least 2 weeks after it has stopped
not sharing/touching/preparing food for others until at least 48 hours after it has stopped
If your tamaiti / child experiences diarrhoea:
keeping them home until at least 48 hours after it has stopped
not taking them swimming until at least 2 weeks after it has stopped
Treatment for cryptosporidiosis
There isn't a specific treatment for cryptosporidiosis, other than providing relief from symptoms until the illness has passed.
Please be vigilant for symptoms of cryptosporidiosis. If you or your tamariki experience symptoms, you can contact us during our opening hours for advice or you can contact Healthline for free advice 24/7 on 0800 611 116.
See the cryptosporidiosis factsheet below for more information
You can also read more about recreational water safety here.
