Australia is currently grappling with a widespread outbreak of gastro illnesses, with cases of cryptosporidiosis, a parasitical gastrointestinal disease, skyrocketing to four times the number recorded in 2023. So far in 2024, there have been a staggering 11,747 cryptosporidiosis cases reported compared to 3,716 cases in the previous year. Disturbingly, a quarter of all cases involve children under the age of four.

Experts are concerned as this represents the highest number of cryptosporidiosis cases ever recorded since data collection began in 2001 under the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System. Cryptosporidiosis is caused by microscopic parasites found in the feces of infected domestic and farm animals, as well as humans. The disease can be transmitted through swimming in contaminated water, direct contact with an infected person, or consumption of unpasteurized milk and dairy products. Unfortunately, the parasite eggs are resistant to chlorine, making it difficult to eliminate.

Symptoms of cryptosporidiosis include diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting, often leading to a prolonged recovery period of weeks. General practitioners in Queensland, where nearly half of the country's cases have been recorded, have observed a surge in infections among children in daycare centers and schools.

Dr. Aileen Traves, Deputy Chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Queensland, emphasized the lack of specific treatment for cryptosporidiosis, stating that rest and hydration are the main strategies for recovery. However, the focus needs to be on preventing further spread of the disease.

The warm climate in Queensland may be contributing to the high number of cases in the region, as people continue to swim even after their symptoms have subsided, disregarding the necessary 14-day waiting period. Dr. Traves also warned that as people travel, they contribute to the effective spread of the outbreak.

Experts anticipate a decrease in cryptosporidiosis cases during the winter months, but extreme weather events such as heavy storms and floods can facilitate the transmission of the parasite. Droughts, on the other hand, can increase the concentration of the pathogen in rivers and dams, further exacerbating the outbreak.

Apart from cryptosporidiosis, cases of gastro infections caused by bacteria like salmonella, shigella, and campylobacter have also surged. In the first half of the year, there were approximately 41,500 recorded cases, compared to 61,320 cases in the previous year.

Parents are finding themselves coping with the consequences of the outbreak. Jess Tiley, a mother of two from NSW's Central Coast, shared her family's experience of a gastro outbreak at her children's daycare. While it is unclear which bug caused the illness, both her three-year-old son, Ted, and one-year-old son, Vince, fell ill, along with her husband. Tiley, who is currently pregnant with twins, fortunately managed to avoid infection.

Tiley emphasized the distress caused by the illness, with her children experiencing vomiting and requiring constant attention. She cautioned other parents not to assume that the bug has passed prematurely, as proper recovery takes time.

To prevent gastro diseases, health experts recommend practicing proper handwashing techniques, especially after contact with animals, avoiding drinking unfiltered water, and refraining from swimming after heavy rainfall.

As Australia battles this alarming rise in cryptosporidiosis cases, authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent further spread of the disease.