CDMC

  • What is Cryptosporidiosis?

    • Cryptosporidiosis is an infection of the intestines caused by a very small parasite.
    • The disease is usually contracted by drinking contaminated water. In B.C., drinking water systems supplied from surface water sources (rain, creeks, rivers, lakes, etc.) are vulnerable to contamination by the feces of infected animals.

  • What are the symptoms of Cryptosporidiosis?

    • Symptoms usually start anywhere from 2 to 14 days after exposure to the parasite, although not everyone who is infected with it will feel sick. If symptoms do occur, they may include frequent watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and mild fever
    • Symptoms may come and go, and usually last fewer than 30 days in people who are otherwise healthy. Young children and the elderly may be at risk of getting dehydrated.
    • The infection may also last longer and be more serious in people whose immune system is not working properly. Persons with AIDS, those who have had an organ or bone marrow transplant, and those who have had cancer treatment are examples of people who may get serious infections.
    • Get medical attention if the illness is severe or prolonged.

  • How is it spread?

    • The parasite that causes Cryptosporidiosis is often found in the bowel movements (feces) of infected humans and animals, including pets, livestock, poultry, or wild animals. Water in rivers, creaks, lakes, swimming pools, and hot tubs may be contaminated by feces. Drinking this water or swallowing it while swimming can result in infection. The infection can also be spread through tap water if the source for the tap water has been contaminated. Current methods used to treat drinking water do not always remove this very hardy parasite.
    • The infection can also be spread from hand to mouth (for example, by touching an infected animal with your hands and not washing your hands prior to eating). The parasite may also be spread by hand to mouth contact with items such as diapers or bedding which have been used by an infected person. This is possible because the parasite can live outside of the body for several months under moist conditions.
    • Outbreaks of Cryptosporidiosis have occurred in daycare centres and in locations where drinking water (or beverages made from drinking water) or swimming pools have been contaminated. Unpasteurized dairy products can be a source of infection. There have also been outbreaks related to unpasteurized apple juice. In many cases however, the source of infection is difficult to determine.
    • Some people are more likely than others to be exposed to the parasite. They include health care workers, child care providers, children in daycare, those exposed to feces through sexual contact, and those caring for a person infected with the parasite.

  • How can I prevent Cryptosporidiosis?

    • Wash your hands well after going to the toilet or changing diapers, and after touching farm animals, pets, or wild animals. This is especially important before eating or preparing food.
    • You should also avoid drinking water directly from rivers, creeks or lakes, or when you are uncertain whether the water has been properly treated (such as during foreign travel).
    • You should also avoid uncooked food or drinks which have been prepared with untreated water. Unpasteurized milk or milk products should also be avoided.
    • If you have a weakened immune system, you should discuss your risk of cryptosporidiosis with your doctor. This includes people with HIV-AIDS, cancer and transplant patients taking immunosuppressive drugs. People who wish to take extra precautions can boil their drinking water, as outlined below.

  • Water treatment against Cryptosporidiosis

    • Boiling

      When travelling, camping or hiking, or when a "boil water" advisory has been issued by the local Medical Health Officer, bring the tap water to a boil for one minute. At elevations over 2,500 meters (6,500 feet) you should boil water for at least two minutes to disinfect. (Note: this is not effective in purifying water that is obviously heavily polluted or chemically contaminated). This boiled water should be used for drinking, brushing teeth, rinsing dentures or contact lenses, making ice cubes, washing uncooked fruit and vegetables, and in recipes which require water. Dishes, glasses and cutlery should be rinsed with water which has been boiled. (See also Health File #49b How to Disinfect Drinking Water)

    • Bottled Water

      Bottled water must meet certain federal health and safety standards, although as with other consumer products the quality of bottled water may vary from one distributor to the next. Persons who use bottled water as an alternative to boiled tap water should choose their supplier carefully to ensure that their product meets the level of purity they want. Make sure you break the seal on the bottled water yourself to ensure that an empty bottle was not simply re-filled with local untreated water. The most common and effective methods of purifying bottled water are ozonation, reverse osmosis, and distillation.

    • Water treatment filters (jug-type or built-in)

      Jug-type water filters are not effective in removing the Cryptosporidium parasite. Some built-in water filtration systems will remove Cryptosporidium, but they are expensive, and need regular, thorough maintenance to work effectively. Filters must be rated at "1 micrometer absolute" (the largest particle which can pass through them is 1 micrometer). Filters which have been certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Standard 53 for cyst reduction are effective at removing them.
    • Other types of water treatment units such as distillation units and combination (filtration and ultraviolet) units are also available. Check with local water purification suppliers or your local environmental health officer for more detailed information.
    • Note: Iodine, chlorine and portable water filters are NOT effective against this parasite, and should not be used to prevent cryptosporidiosis.

  • Travelling in foreign countries

    • The parasite that causes cryptosporidiosis can be found worldwide. If you are not sure of the local drinking water source or it's treatment, you should only drink boiled or bottled water. While travelling be aware that drinking water and bottled water standards may not be the same as in Canada and may also be different from one country to the next.