Deadly diarrhoea disease spreading across UK and Europe - full list of symptoms
An increase in cases of a deadly diarrhoea-causing disease has been spreading across Europe, including the UK.
Cryptosporidiosis cases have been found in Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the UK since the end of August, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has said in its latest health report. It is a disease that causes watery diarrhoea and is caused by microscopic germs—parasites called Cryptosporidium or Cryptosporidium.
The bacteria are found in water, food, soil or on surfaces or dirty hands that have been contaminated with the faeces of humans or animals infected with the parasite. The bacteria then live in the gut of infected humans or animals and are shed in faeces after going to the toilet. Cryptosporidium has a high tolerance to chlorine which enables the parasite to survive for long periods of time in chlorinated drinking and swimming pool water.
In the report, the ECDC said the uptick in cases "is probably due to favourable environmental conditions - heat waves, heavy rainfall and flooding - in southern Europe and summer travel patterns towards these countries." The health journal The Lancet also recently wrote in one of its reports that the protozoan Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of diarrhoea morbidity and mortality in children younger than five. It said that the most recent estimated annual deaths due to cryptosporidiosis range from 24,600 to 81,900.
It can be spread in a number of ways, including swallowing recreational water - for example, the water in swimming pools, fountains, lakes, and rivers - contaminated with Crypto. Swallowing water, ice or drinks contaminated with faeces from infected humans or animals also is a leading cause as well as touching your mouth with contaminated hands. Hands can become contaminated by changing diapers, caring for an infected person or touching an infected animal. It can also be sexually transmitted if someone is exposed to faeces from a person through oral-anal sexual contact.
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Symptoms of the disease generally begin two to 10 days after becoming infected with the parasite. Symptoms are similar to norovirus and include watery diarrhoea, stomach cramps, dehydration, vomiting, fever and weight loss. Generally, individuals with Cryptosporidium do not require treatment. Antibiotics do not help and it is recommended to just drink plenty of liquids.
The ECDC said it was monitoring the outbreak.
Full list of symptoms
Symptoms of Crypto generally begin 2 to 10 days (average 7 days) after becoming infected with the parasite. Symptoms include:
- Watery diarrhoea
- Stomach cramps or pain
- Dehydration
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Weight loss
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