THE INCIDENCE OF CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS IN COMPARISON WITH OTHER GASTROINTESTINAL ILLNESSES IN BLACKPOOL, WYRE AND FYLDE

The paper describes a study which was carried out to examine the incid ence of cryptosporidiosis and other gastro-intestinal illnesses in Bla ckpool, Wyre and Fylde. Information on the incidence of cryptosporidio sis, between 1987 and 1992, was collected retrospectively. Between Jul y 1992 and June 1993, prospective information on a range of gastro-int estinal illnesses was obtained from individual cases using a specially designed questionnaire. In the six-year period of the retrospective s tudy, 497 cases of cryptosporidiosis were reported. When spatial patte rns of cryptosporidiosis reporting were examined, no relationship coul d be found with either the water supply zone or census ward. The prosp ective study produced similar results to the retrospective investigati on. Recreational water use and farm animal contact were identified as 'risk factors' for cryptosporidiosis when compared with other gastroin testinal illness aetiological agents.