Increase in cryptosporidiosis cases across Victoria

Summary Increase in cryptosporidiosis cases in Victoria. Cryptosporidiosis is gastro caused by Cryptosporidium parasite, with infections linked to public swimming pools. Cryptosporidiosis cases rise during warmer months; the parasite is chlorine-resistant. Council urges proper hygiene, discourages swimming with diarrhea and advises thorough cleaning before swimming; directs to health.vic.gov.au for more information.

Read the full story below.

Some cases have become infected after using public swimming pools and public health investigations have found people are attending pools while they are infectious.

Cases of cryptosporidiosis generally increase during the warmer months when more people are swimming and using public pools. Cryptosporidium parasites are highly resistant to the levels of chlorine normally found in swimming pools.

To avoid contaminating pool water which infects others, people with cryptosporidiosis or an unknown cause of diarrhoea should not swim while they have diarrhoea and for two weeks after diarrhoea stops.

If you are planning to go swimming, please remember these healthy swimming tips:

Do not swim if you have diarrhoea. Always shower and wash thoroughly with soap (especially your bottom) before you swim. Always wash your hands with soap after going to the toilet or changing a nappy. Change nappies in nappy change areas only. Avoid swallowing pool water.

Council’s Director Infrastructure, Gary Randhawa, urged swimmers to take the appropriate cleanliness measures.

“If you and your family are planning on going swimming in a public space, please think of others and wash thoroughly before you swim. If you are feeling sick, please stay at home,” he said.

“With cases of cryptosporidiosis rising at the moment, our community needs to be cautious and thoughtful of others, we need to try our best to prevent new cases.”

For more information on cryptosporidiosis and how to protect yourself, please visit health.vic.gov.au.