2023-11-11 09:37:19
There has been an increase in intestinal diseases in Great Britain since mid-August. This is what is known regarding the mysterious increase.
It is an “unprecedented” outbreak: there has been a high increase in diarrheal cases in the UK since August this year. This is reported by “Eurosurveillance”, a scientific journal that deals with the surveillance, epidemiology, prevention and control of infectious diseases.
The trigger is the intestinal parasite Cryptosporidium, also known as Crypto. The report speaks of an “unprecedented and sustained increase in cryptosporidiosis cases.” In one week of September alone, 500 cases were recorded – five times more than usual at this time of year.
Scientists are investigating the cases
The scientists working on the case are still unclear regarding the causes. The case is being investigated and a questionnaire has been created for it. In this, those affected are asked regarding travel abroad, contact with food and water and interaction with animals.
Initial results suggest “that many cases may be related to international travel, particularly to Spain and other Mediterranean countries.” Swimming and using swimming pools might also contribute. “However, at this point, it cannot be ruled out that other sources, such as contaminated food, are contributing to the excess,” the report continues.
What exactly is the intestinal parasite Cryptosporidium?
The microscopic parasites infect the intestines and cause watery diarrhea. After an infection, oocysts are excreted in the feces and can be passed on to other people. Oocysts are a developmental stage in the life cycle of single-celled parasites that can survive outside their host for long periods of time.
The most common route of infection is through water. Because the oocysts are extremely tolerant to chlorine, swimming pools are considered high risk. Health authorities therefore advise anyone with such an illness not to go swimming and to wait 14 days following infection.
An illness is generally not life-threatening for healthy people. However, for people with weakened immune systems, it can have serious consequences and, in the worst case, lead to death. In healthy people, the infection is characterized by diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration, weight loss and fever. In the UK outbreak, more than half of respondents said their symptoms lasted more than ten days.
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