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.