A significant number of Irish vacationers have returned home afflicted with a severe stomach bug after visiting resorts in Spain. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) initially discovered these infections several weeks ago. However, it has now issued a warning to these vacationers after receiving inquiries from the Irish Independent.
Reports have confirmed cases of cryptosporidiosis in individuals who returned from resorts in Spain, particularly in Salou, Catalonia. The HPSC released yesterday’s breakdown of cases, revealing that there were 37 lab-confirmed cases associated with travel to Salou. Additionally, there were 14 non-lab confirmed cases, resulting in a total of 51 people affected by the outbreak. So far this year, there have been a total of 656 cases of cryptosporidiosis.
It is highly likely that the actual number of cases is higher, as these vacationers may have transmitted the bug to others who were diagnosed based on symptoms rather than formal testing. The HPSC stated, “There has been a widespread increase in cryptosporidiosis in Europe in August and September, most likely due to the extreme weather in European, especially Mediterranean, countries over the summer.”
To investigate the cause and eliminate the possibility of a controllable outbreak in Ireland, an incident team was established in early September. During the investigation, several cases traced back to Salou were identified, prompting communication with public health authorities in Spain and the European Centre for Disease Control to determine the potential source of the infection.
For those planning to visit areas affected by the outbreak, it is advisable to wash hands frequently before consuming food or drinks, before and after handling raw meat, after visiting food markets, and after touching items in public areas. Vacationers should also examine if tap water is properly treated and check for the smell of chlorine, which indicates its safety. If uncertain, it is best to avoid drinking tap water whenever possible.
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