Sheep as a source of human cryptosporidiosis

Studies in north Wales on human cryptosporidiosis since 1983 have indicated that the infection may be acquired both from animals and by person-to-person transmission. Examination of veterinary data revealed a marked coincidence of the spring peak of infection in human beings with that seen in sheep. A case-control study was therefore set up to test the hypothesis that some of the human infections may have been acquired from contact with sheep. The results of the study confirmed a significant association.