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An outbreak of waterborne cryptosporidiosis in Swindon and Oxfordshire

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

A. J. Richardson ,
R. A Frankenberg ,
A. C. Buck ,
J. B. Selkon ,
J. S. Colbourne ,
J. W. Parsons  and
R. T. Mayon-White
A. J. Richardson
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health Medicine, Wessex Regional Health Authority, Romsey Road, Winchester SO22 5DH
R. A Frankenberg
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health Medicine, Oxfordshire Health Authority, Manor House, Headley Way, Oxford 0X3 9DZ
A. C. Buck
Affiliation:
Pathology Department, Princess Margaret Hospital, Okus Road, Swindon SN1 4JU
J. B. Selkon
Affiliation:
Oxford Public Health Laboratory, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford
J. S. Colbourne
Affiliation:
Thames Water Services, New River Head, Roseberry Avenue, London EC1 4TP
J. W. Parsons
Affiliation:
Swindon Health Authority, Okus Road, Swindon SN1 4JU.
R. T. Mayon-White
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health Medicine, Oxfordshire Health Authority, Manor House, Headley Way, Oxford 0X3 9DZ
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Summary

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An outbreak of cryptosporidiosis resulted in 516 cases in Wiltshire and Oxfordshire. The outbreak caused widespread interest and led to an official inquiry. The majority of cases were in children; 8% of cases were admitted to hospital and the median duration of illness was 3 weeks. The geographical distribution of cases matched the distribution of water supplies from three treatment works and eryptosporidium oocysts were found at these works and in the treated water. Attack rates in electoral wards supplied by the three treatment works were significantly higher than in other wards. The cause of the outbreak appeared to be the failure of normal treatment to remove oocysts. Measures at the treatment works reduced the number of oocysts detected in treated water, after which the outbreak came to an end. The conclusion of the investigations was that cryptosporidiosis is a risk of conventionally treated public water supplies.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 107 , Issue 3 , December 1991 , pp. 485 - 495
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

References

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