Outbreak of Cryptosporidium linked to drinking unpasteurised milk.

Corresponding author: Ms Catherine M Harper, Senior Epidemiologist, Central Public Health Unit Network — Brisbane Northside, Public Health Services, Queensland Health, PO Box 1507, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006. Telephone: +61 7 3250 8602. Facsimile: +61 7 3250 8595. E-mail: [email protected]. In August and September 2001, the Sunshine Coast Public Health Unit received notifications that 8 children from the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, had laboratory-confirmed Cryptosporidium in faecal samples. Four children were hospitalised and all recovered. Dates of onset were consistent with a protracted common source dispersed in the community. An epidemiological and environmental investigation sought details of symptom history and exposure to potential sources of Cryptosporidium, including animal contact, commercial and noncommercially available unpasteurised milk, nonpotable water and other persons with gastroenteritis. For the case control study, a case was defined as a child with laboratory-confirmed Cryptosporidium, with symptom onset in August 2001 and living on the Sunshine Coast. Considering the potential confounders of age and geographic location, substantial effort was made to obtain age-matched controls from the treating general practitioner. Controls had attended the general practitioner for conditions other than gastroenteritis. Controls for 3 cases were unable to be obtained, and thus only unmatched analysis was undertaken.