Outbreak of cryptosporidiosis among veterinary students

In January 2007, six veterinary students became infected with Cryptosporidium species, and records indicated that another student had been diagnosed in November 2006. It was established that the seven students had worked with cattle from the same farm. Microbiological tests indicated that they were infected with Cryptosporidium parvum. Subtyping by sequence analysis indicated a common source of infection for five of the students, but there was insufficient material to type the other two samples. Investigations indicated that the outbreak was caused by a lapse in hygiene, particularly handwashing, on a farm with enzootic C parvum in calves.