Cryptosporidiosis cases continue to rise in Wellington
A coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a group of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis bacteria.
Photo:
SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
The number of cryptosporidiosis cases in the Wellington region has risen to 90, with four cases reported in the past week.
Medical Officer of Health for the National Public Health Service Dr Jill McKenzie said the number of new cases continued to decrease, and over the past month, the number had been similar to the same time last year.
Health New Zealand said initially
most cases were associated with swimming pools
, however, recent cases were more likely to be from close contact with an infected person.
However, the agency continued to liaise with any swimming pool or early childhood education centre that might be associated with a case, to support with limiting further spread.
Crypto is a gastro bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea, and people can remain infectious for up to two weeks.
People who have been unwell must not swim for two weeks after diarrhoea has stopped because crypto can still spread for two weeks after the illness has gone away.
Children can return to preschool once symptom free for 48 hours with a focus on promoting good hand washing and drying.
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