A PROBABLE WATERBORNE OUTBREAK OF CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS IN THE SHEFFIELD AREA

There was a marked peak in human cases of cryptosporidiosis in the Sheffield area in May and June 1986. Extensive epidemiological investigations failed to find a common source of food or a consistent history of animal contact, but did suggest that a waterborne outbreak of cryptosporidiosis may have occurred. Cryptosporidium oocysts were found in untreated water and in fish from a reservoir complex implicated by epidemiological analysis. Laboratory investigations confirmed that cattle on a farm adjacent to the reservoir complex were a possible source of contamination.