An outbreak of cryptosporidiosis associated with an animal nursery at a regional fair

Authors

  • Rosie H Ashbolt OzFoodNet Tasmania, Department of Health and Human Services, GPO Box 125B, Hobart TAS 7001. Telephone: +61 3 6222 7402
  • David J Coleman Communicable Diseases, Department of Health and Human Services, Tasmania
  • Avner Misrachi Communicable Diseases, Department of Health and Human Services, Tasmania
  • Joe M Conti Communicable Diseases, Department of Health and Human Services, Tasmania
  • Martyn D Kirk Food Standards Australia New Zealand, Melbourne, Victoria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2003.27.46

Keywords:

cryptosporidiosis, disease outbreak

Abstract

Cryptosporidiosis is a common gastrointestinal illness that is transmitted from infected persons, animals, or contaminated water or food. This article reports on an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis associated with an animal nursery at an agricultural show held in northern Tasmania during October 2001. Eighty-one per cent of cases (38/47) notified to the Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services over a 35 day period were interviewed to determine potential sources of infection. Eighty-one per cent of interviewed cases (29/36) reported that they had attended the agricultural show, and 75 per cent (27/36) reported contact with animals in the animal nursery. Cases occurring more than one incubation period after the agricultural show were significantly more likely to have had contact with someone else with diarrhoea (p<0.01). This is the first reported outbreak of cryptosporidiosis associated with an animal nursery in Australia. The outbreak demonstrates the importance of infection control policies and hygiene measures in the animal nursery setting. Commun Dis Intell 2003;27:244-249.

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References

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Published

30/06/03

How to Cite

Ashbolt, Rosie H, David J Coleman, Avner Misrachi, Joe M Conti, and Martyn D Kirk. 2003. “An Outbreak of Cryptosporidiosis Associated With an Animal Nursery at a Regional Fair”. Communicable Diseases Intelligence 27 (June):244-49. https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2003.27.46.

Issue

Vol. 27 (2003)

Section

Short report

Categories

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Copyright (c) 2003 Communicable Diseases Intelligence

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