Five Irish holidaymakers who contracted a severe stomach bug in Spain had to be hospitalised.
A total of 64 cases related to the outbreak have been reported in Ireland since August, mainly around Salou.
The outbreak of cryptosporidiosis coincided with schools breaking up for mid-term, and some families traveling abroad.
Out of the reported cases, there have been 44 lab-confirmed instances of cryptosporidiosis associated with travel to Salou, while 20 others were not confirmed cases.
Five individuals required hospitalisation, but there have been no deaths linked to the outbreak.
It adds that 96 (45%) of those had travelled to Spain.
A study by London’s HSA says in the study: “Our initial findings would suggest that swimming, including the use of pools, and foreign travel to a variety of destinations may underlie the current increase. However, at this stage other sources, for example contaminated food, cannot be excluded as contributing to the exceedance.”
The paper says although national and international outbreaks of the disease can occur, most are localised and associated with private or public water supplies, swimming pools, animal contact, person-to-person spread or food consumption. Swimming pool outbreaks often occur when water has been contaminated and the pool is not properly cleaned, while outbreaks often taken place in nurseries.
To prevent infection and reduce the risk of spreading the illness abroad or upon return to Ireland, the HSE advice is to:
- Wash hands frequently with soap and clean water, especially before eating or preparing food, after using the toilet or changing diapers, and after touching public items or live animals.
- Be cautious about the water quality in the area. If tap water is not considered safe, avoid drinking it and using ice made from it. Use bottled water instead.
- Cryptosporidiosis can spread even in well-maintained pools, so be mindful of swimming in such environments.
- If experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea, dehydration, stomach cramps, fever, or vomiting, especially children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals, seek medical attention.
The HSE says to remember to prioritise personal hygiene and take precautions when traveling to areas with potential gastrointestinal outbreaks.
