Urgent health warning arises as parasitic disease cases skyrocket
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As the skies open up and heavy rains drench the landscapes of Queensland, an unexpected and unwelcome consequence has emerged.
Health authorities have issued a warning following a ‘rapid rise’ in cases of cryptosporidiosis, a parasitic disease that can cause severe gastrointestinal issues.
Cryptosporidiosis is a disease caused by a microscopic parasite, and it's a common culprit behind acute diarrhoea, especially in young children.
On average, Queensland Health reports approximately 500 cases of this disease each year. However, this year has seen a shocking rise in cases, with over 700 reported in January alone.
Since the start of 2024, the number has climbed to more than 823 cases, which is 13 times higher than the 56 cases reported in January last year.
This trend also surpasses the annual totals for both 2021 and 2022.
The majority of these cases have been recorded in metropolitan areas, but regions such as West Moreton, Darling Downs, Central Queensland, and Townsville have also seen an increase in case numbers.
This rise isn't confined to Queensland, either. New South Wales and Victoria have also reported similar increases recently, indicating a nationwide issue.
Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard explained that Cryptosporidium, the parasites causing cryptosporidiosis, are typically transferred through contaminated water or food or contact with infected individuals or animals.
'Drinking or accidentally swallowing water contaminated with cryptosporidiosis parasites is a common mode of transmission,' Dr Gerrard said.
'This can occur in various settings, including swimming pools, water parks, and other recreational water facilities where water may be contaminated with faecal matter.'
The most common symptoms of cryptosporidiosis include diarrhoea, particularly in young children, as well as nausea, vomiting, fever, headache, and loss of appetite.
If you or your loved ones experience these symptoms, it's crucial to seek medical attention promptly.
In light of this health crisis, authorities are urging Australians, most especially those living in Queensland, to prioritise good hygiene habits.
This includes not using swimming pools, water parks, and other recreational water facilities for two weeks after experiencing symptoms.
'It’s important to wash hands thoroughly after going to the toilet, changing nappies, and after cleaning up animal faeces to minimise transmission of disease,' Dr Gerrard expressed.
'Children with diarrhoea should not return to childcare or school until diarrhoea has ceased for 24 hours.'
Cryptosporidium can also be found in cattle, sheep, dogs, and cats.
As such, it's important to exercise caution when interacting with these animals, particularly if they show signs of illness.
Additional preventative measures include washing fruit and vegetables before eating them, boiling any untreated water and then cooling it before drinking and avoiding swimming in rivers, creeks or dams within a week after heavy rain.
Cryptosporidium can live in the intestine of humans and animals and is passed in the stool.
While this parasite can be spread in several different ways, water is the most common method of transmission. Cryptosporidium can survive for days in chlorinated swimming pools and even longer in wild water sources such as lakes and rivers.
Once ingested, the parasites make their way to the small intestine, where they burrow into the walls and begin to reproduce.
While anyone can get cryptosporidiosis, some groups are more likely to develop more serious illness.
For example, people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS, those on cancer chemotherapy, transplant patients, and people on certain steroids, are likely to have more severe and prolonged illness.
Cryptosporidiosis can be a serious illness, but with awareness and the right precautions, we can protect ourselves and our communities.
To read more about this disease, you can visit Healthdirect’s website here: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/cryptosporidiosis.
Have you or someone you know been affected by this disease, members? Share your experiences and tips for staying healthy in the comments below.
Health authorities have issued a warning following a ‘rapid rise’ in cases of cryptosporidiosis, a parasitic disease that can cause severe gastrointestinal issues.
Cryptosporidiosis is a disease caused by a microscopic parasite, and it's a common culprit behind acute diarrhoea, especially in young children.
On average, Queensland Health reports approximately 500 cases of this disease each year. However, this year has seen a shocking rise in cases, with over 700 reported in January alone.
Queensland Health issued a health warning due to the alarming rise of cryptosporidiosis cases. Image source: Erik Witsoe/Unsplash
Since the start of 2024, the number has climbed to more than 823 cases, which is 13 times higher than the 56 cases reported in January last year.
This trend also surpasses the annual totals for both 2021 and 2022.
The majority of these cases have been recorded in metropolitan areas, but regions such as West Moreton, Darling Downs, Central Queensland, and Townsville have also seen an increase in case numbers.
This rise isn't confined to Queensland, either. New South Wales and Victoria have also reported similar increases recently, indicating a nationwide issue.
Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard explained that Cryptosporidium, the parasites causing cryptosporidiosis, are typically transferred through contaminated water or food or contact with infected individuals or animals.
'Drinking or accidentally swallowing water contaminated with cryptosporidiosis parasites is a common mode of transmission,' Dr Gerrard said.
'This can occur in various settings, including swimming pools, water parks, and other recreational water facilities where water may be contaminated with faecal matter.'
The most common symptoms of cryptosporidiosis include diarrhoea, particularly in young children, as well as nausea, vomiting, fever, headache, and loss of appetite.
If you or your loved ones experience these symptoms, it's crucial to seek medical attention promptly.
In light of this health crisis, authorities are urging Australians, most especially those living in Queensland, to prioritise good hygiene habits.
This includes not using swimming pools, water parks, and other recreational water facilities for two weeks after experiencing symptoms.
'It’s important to wash hands thoroughly after going to the toilet, changing nappies, and after cleaning up animal faeces to minimise transmission of disease,' Dr Gerrard expressed.
'Children with diarrhoea should not return to childcare or school until diarrhoea has ceased for 24 hours.'
Cryptosporidium can also be found in cattle, sheep, dogs, and cats.
As such, it's important to exercise caution when interacting with these animals, particularly if they show signs of illness.
Additional preventative measures include washing fruit and vegetables before eating them, boiling any untreated water and then cooling it before drinking and avoiding swimming in rivers, creeks or dams within a week after heavy rain.
Cryptosporidium can live in the intestine of humans and animals and is passed in the stool.
While this parasite can be spread in several different ways, water is the most common method of transmission. Cryptosporidium can survive for days in chlorinated swimming pools and even longer in wild water sources such as lakes and rivers.
Once ingested, the parasites make their way to the small intestine, where they burrow into the walls and begin to reproduce.
While anyone can get cryptosporidiosis, some groups are more likely to develop more serious illness.
For example, people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS, those on cancer chemotherapy, transplant patients, and people on certain steroids, are likely to have more severe and prolonged illness.
Cryptosporidiosis can be a serious illness, but with awareness and the right precautions, we can protect ourselves and our communities.
To read more about this disease, you can visit Healthdirect’s website here: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/cryptosporidiosis.
Have you or someone you know been affected by this disease, members? Share your experiences and tips for staying healthy in the comments below.
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