Collection

Cryptosporidiosis: guidance, data and analysis

The characteristics, management and epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis.

• From: UK Health Security Agency
• Published: 19 February 2013
• Last updated: 1 November 2023 — See all updates

Cryptosporidiosis is a disease usually caused by the parasites Cryptosporidium hominis and C. parvum. It is most commonly seen in children aged between 1 and 5 years. People with weak immune systems are likely to be more seriously affected. The most common symptom is mild to severe watery diarrhoea.

The parasites are resistant to chlorine. Outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis have been linked to drinking or swimming in contaminated water and contact with infected lambs and calves during visits to open farms.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) provides advice on controlling outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis and monitors any outbreak to find the source of the infection.

Management

Managing outbreaks and cases of gastrointestinal infections.

• Cryptosporidium: public advice
  • 1 November 2023
  • Guidance
• Gastrointestinal disease notification questionnaire
  • 16 October 2004
  • Form
• Preventing person-to-person gastrointestinal infections
  • 10 April 2004
  • Guidance

Epidemiology

• Cryptosporidium: national laboratory data
  • 30 May 2019
  • Research and analysis
• Cryptosporidium: statistics 2000 to 2012
  • 1 January 2013
  • Research and analysis

Travel-associated infections

• Travel-associated Cryptosporidium infection
  • 23 February 2017
  • Research and analysis

Published 19 February 2013
Last updated 1 November 2023 + show all updates

1. 1 November 2023

   Added Cryptosporidium: public advice.

2. 13 March 2017

   Added new data to epidemiology section.

3. 23 February 2017

   Added Travel-associated Cryptosporidium 2014 report.

4. 19 February 2013

   First published.