A community outbreak of Cryptosporidium infection associated with a swimming pool complex.
A case-control study was conducted to investigate the cause of a sudden increase in cases of cryptosporidiosis notified to the Brisbane Southside Public Health Unit from January to March 1998. Fifty-two eligible cases were identified over a three-week period early in 1998. Thirty-one of these cases and 21 control subjects participated in the study. Swimming in the 2 weeks before onset of illness was identified as a likely risk factor for cryptosporidiosis infection (OR 3.1, CI 0.8-12.6, P = 0.06). Analysis of swimming pool attendance identified swimming at Pool Complex A as a significant risk factor for the acquisition of cryptosporidiosis (OR 8.9, CI 1.5-67.4, P = 0.004). No other potential risk factors were significantly associated with illness. The detection of cryptosporidium oocysts in three of the four pools at Pool Complex A supported the findings of the case-control study. As a response to this outbreak, Queensland Health has developed a Code of Practice outlining measures for the control and prevention of future outbreaks of swimming pool-associated cryptosporidiosis and/or giardiasis.
Stafford
R
R
Brisbane Southside Public Health Unit, Coopers Plains, Queensland. russell_stafford@health.qld.gov.au
Neville
G
G
Towner
C
C
McCall
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013550:Swimming