This page has information about cryptosporidium, as well as forms and fact sheets. Remember that teachers retain duty of care for their students at all times. As part of this responsibility, school staff must assist swimming and aquatics instructors-in-charge to understand and monitor student health and wellbeing.

About cryptosporidium

Cryptosporidium infection is a notifiable condition. It is an infection of the bowel which can result in gastroenteritis.

One of the ways that it is spread is by swimming in contaminated water.

The main symptom is watery diarrhoea which occurs with stomach cramps, and less commonly fever, vomiting and appetite loss can occur.

Prevention

Students with diarrhoea should not use swimming pools or spa pools for 14 days after the symptoms have stopped.

Exclude student from school activities until there has been no diarrhoea for 24 hours.

Students who are not toilet trained should wear tight fitting waterproof pants or swimming nappies in swimming pools and changed regularly in change rooms.

All faecal matter released or found in a pool must be reported to pool management.

If change rooms are used to wash a student the shower should be cleaned with household bleach before used by other patrons of the pool.