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Cryptosporidiosis in the Isle of Thanet; an outbreak associated with local drinking water

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

C. Joseph
Affiliation:
PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, 61 Colindale Ave, London NW9 5EQ
G. Hamilton
Affiliation:
Institute of Public Health, Broomhill, David Salomon's House, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 0TG
M. O'Connors
Affiliation:
PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, 61 Colindale Ave, London NW9 5EQ
S. Nicholas
Affiliation:
PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, 61 Colindale Ave, London NW9 5EQ
R. Marshall
Affiliation:
PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, 61 Colindale Ave, London NW9 5EQ
R. Stanwell-Smith
Affiliation:
PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, 61 Colindale Ave, London NW9 5EQ
R. Sims
Affiliation:
Canterbury and Thanet Health Authority, 3 Royal Crescent, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 9PF
E. Ndawula
Affiliation:
Canterbury and Thanet Health Authority, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury, Kent CT1 3NG
U. Casemore
Affiliation:
Rhyl Public Health Laboratory, Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan, Rhyl, Clwyd LL18 5UJ
P. Gallagher
Affiliation:
Thanet District Council, PO Box 9, Margate. Kent CT9 1XZ
P. Harnett
Affiliation:
Southern Water Services Ltd (Kent Division), Capstone Rd. Chatham, Kent ME5 7QA
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Summary

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An outbreak of cryptosporidiosis occurred in the Isle of Thanet during December 1990 and January 1991. A total of 47 cases ranging in age from 2 months to 85 years were identified in residents from the Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate areas, with dates of onset of illness from 3 December to 14 January. A case-control study demonstrated a strong statistical association between illness and the consumption of unboiled tap water from a particular source, with evidence of a dose–response relationship. Although no cryptosporidial oocysts were identified in samples of untreated or treated water taken during the investigation, the results were consistent with the view that the source of infection was treated river water which was used to supplement borehole water.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

References

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