A warning has been issued as cases of a deadly diarrhoea-causing disease have been spreading across Europe.
In its latest update, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) revealed that cases of cryptosporidiosis have risen in the region, including the UK.
Infection rates started to rise at the end of August and continued to do so throughout September, the ECDC said.
This is “probably” due to certain weather conditions that the disease thrives in, such as heatwaves, heavy rainfall and flooding, it was reported.
Also known as crypto, cryptosporidiosis is a diarrhoeal disease caused by a parasite called cryptosporidium.
This bacteria is 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.
It can then live in the gut of infected people and animals and is shed through faeces when going to the toilet.
Due to the bacteria’s high tolerance to chlorine it can survive for a long time in chlorinated drinking water as well as swimming pool water.
This means it can be spread in a number of different ways, including accidentally swallowing contaminated water in swimming pools, fountains, lakes and rivers.
A leading cause is swallowing water or ice contaminated with faeces from affected people or animals.
Touching your mouth with contaminated hands can also spread infection.
Hands can be contaminated by changing nappies, caring for an infected person or touching an infected animal.
It can also be sexually transmitted through oral-anal contact if the person is exposed to faeces.
In some cases an infected person will not display symptoms.
But according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms typically start between two to 10 days of infection.
They can “come and go” for 30 days.
Common symptoms include:
- Watery diarrhoea
- Stomach cramps or pain
- Dehydration
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Weight loss.
Most people will not require treatment and will be advised just to drink plenty of fluids, as water does not help.
However, if the infected person has a weakened immune system they could experience a serious, chronic and even fatal illness.
This includes people with HIV or AIDS, those with inherited diseases that affect the immune system; and cancer and transplant patients who are taking certain immunosuppressive drugs.
If you experience symptoms you should speak to your doctor.
The ECDC said it was “monitoring” the outbreak.