Cryptosporidiosis - Are We Winning The Battle? UK

Main Category: GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
Also Included In: Conferences;  Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 17 Jan 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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With the continuing challenges presented by controlling outbreaks of Cryptosporidiosis, this two-day conference will share experiences and update delegates on various aspects of this diarrhoeal disease and its public health control. The clue to the potential impact of Cryptosporidium, the microscopic protozoan parasite that causes Cryptosporidiosis, is that its name means 'hidden spore'. It is notoriously difficult to detect and environmentally resistant - the Cryptosporidium oocyst can survive for 18 months in cool, damp environments such as reservoirs and pipes.

Professor Rodney Cartwright, RIPH Trustee, Medical Consultant to the Drinking Water Inspectorate and Medical Adviser to the Federation of Tour Operators, says: "Cryptosporidiosis constitutes a serious threat to public health because of the large numbers of people potentially affected in an outbreak, and there is currently no effective specific drug treatment. Transmission of Cryptosporidium is usually through faecally contaminated water, and contamination of drinking or swimming pool water can lead to large community outbreaks, such as those seen recently in Wales, Ireland and Mallorca."

Speakers at this important conference include Professor Jeni Colbourne, Chief Inspector of Drinking Water for England and Wales, Professor Huw Smith, Director, Scottish Parasite Diagnostic Laboratory, Dr Nick Beeching, Tropical and Infectious Disease Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital and Dr John Lee from the Health Protection Agency. The conference programme will address the following issues:

- A general overview of the human infections caused by Cryptosporidium, including epidemiology.
- The methods available for diagnosing Cryptosporidiosis.
- Managing Cryptosporidiosis infection and lessons learned from recent community outbreaks.
- The collection and examination of clinical and environmental samples, and typing isolates.
- Regulations and legislation throughout the UK, including recent amendments.

This meeting will be of interest to many in the health sector, but particularly those working in communicable disease control, in the water industry, and environmental health officers or medical microbiologists. The meeting is supported by the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering and the Worshipful Company of Plumbers. For further details about the conference, please visit http://www.riph.org.uk.

Notes:

- The Royal Institute of Public Health was founded in 1886. Based in London, it is a leading independent body with an international reputation dedicated to the promotion, practice and protection of the highest standards of public health.

- It offers a wide range of public health related qualifications delivered through an extensive network of training centres nationwide.

- We have an international membership representing a cross-section of health professionals and hygiene specialists whose work involves the protection and improvement of the public health.

- The Royal Institute enjoys the patronage of Her Majesty The Queen, an honour that has been conferred by the Sovereign continuously since 1897. The Royal Institute is a Registered Charity.

Royal Institute of Public Health