Cryptosporidiosis outbreak in Wellington: high number of cases reported

In New Zealand, the Wellington region is facing an ongoing outbreak of cryptosporidiosis, with more people infected with the disease than last year. The outbreak started in the Hutt Valley two months ago and has since extended to Wellington, Porirua, and Wairapapa. Central region medical officer of health Dr Craig Thornley said a high number of cases were still being reported, with health officials remaining on the alert and continuing to monitor the situation. As of early May, there have been 81 confirmed cases in the Greater Wellington Region, twice the number of cases recorded in the same period last year. According to Thornley, the weekly number of cases is steady, with only three infections reported last week. Initially, most cases were linked to swimming pool use, but now they are mainly from close contact with infected persons. Health New Zealand will continue to work with swimming pools and childhood centres to contain the spread of the disease.
Cryptosporidiosis is a gastrointestinal infection provoked by the parasite cryptosporidium. Its symptoms include vomiting and diarrhoea. People can remain infectious for up to two weeks. However, the parasite is very resistant and can spread even after the illness has gone away. Good hygiene and cleaning practices are key to preventing the disease. In the Hutt Valley, health officials confirmed that the outbreak was linked to a toddler pool at Te Ngaengae and a hydrotherapy pool at Huia. In response, authorities closed and disinfected both pools using chlorine and ultraviolet light under public health guidelines.