NSW Health has urged people not to swim for at least two weeks after having diarrhoea, after a steep increase in the number of gastro cases caused by a parasite which can survive in water for many days.
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In the Illawarra, there have been 34 cases of the diarrhoeal disease cryptosporidiosis reported this summer, compared to just 10 cases between December-February a year earlier.
While this is nowhere near the 72 cases recorded in the summer of 2019/20, this year's outbreak is significantly higher than the summer average over the past decade.
Statewide, Health Protection NSW Executive Director Dr Jeremy McAnulty said there had been 498 cases of cryptosporidiosis reported in 2024, compared to the five-year average of 95 cases for the same time period.
Caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium, the disease infects the intestine and is a common cause of acute diarrhoea in young children.
Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, fever, headache, and loss of appetite.
Dr McAnulty said almost half of the state's cases were in children under 10 years old, meaning parents needed to be aware of the risks and precautions.
"Cryptosporidiosis is commonly acquired by swimming in and swallowing water contaminated with cryptosporidium parasites," he said.
"The parasite survives for many days, even in chlorinated pools, and in the past very large outbreaks have been caused by people who had recently been infected going swimming."
People who have had diarrhoea should:
- avoid swimming for at least two weeks after your symptoms resolve
- avoid sharing towels for at least two weeks after your symptoms resolve
- avoid handling food for at least 48 hours after your symptoms resolve
- children who have diarrhoea should be kept home from preschool, childcare or playgroup until 24 hours after the diarrhoea has completely stopped.
To avoid catching cryptosporidiosis:
- avoid swimming in estuaries and inland waterways (e.g. rivers, creeks, dams) during and for at least three days after heavy rain
- avoid swimming at ocean beaches during and for at least one day after heavy rain
- avoid swallowing water when swimming
- wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds after using the toilet, handling animals or their manure, changing nappies, working in the garden and before preparing food or drinks
- do not drink untreated water (for example, from lakes or streams). Boiling water by bringing to a rolling boil is sufficient to kill Cryptosporidium.
Kate McIlwain
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
