British tourists are being warned that a top travel destination is plagued by a parasite which can cause diarrhoea.
Almost two dozen holidaymakers in Croatia fell ill in just a couple of months as a result of cryptosporidium, which can cause stomach pains, vomiting and fever.
MailOnline reports 23 German tourists hit by the bug have concerned German health officials due to the unusually high infection rate. Usually, there are fewer than five infections per year.
It’s believed the cases originated in the Croatian town of Istria, potentially because of exposure to contaminated swimming pools.
The parasite is resistant to chlorine, and can be spread via contaminated food, water and sometimes in swimming pools. It can survive for up to a week. It has also been found in rivers, lakes and streams.
Cryptosporidium is fairly common in domestic animals such as sheep and cattle. It spreads in pools when contaminated faecal matter enters the mouth. Dried poo can wash off an infected person’s bottom while in a pool.
Anyone can get cryptosporidiosis, but it is most common in children aged between one and five years old. People who care for, or who work with children are more at risk than others, according to the NHS.
For most, the illness is unpleasant but doesn’t persist. But it can be serious in people whose immune systems don’t work properly.
The 23 cases in Croatia were investigated by experts at Heidelberg Institute of Global Health and Robert Koch Institute. The exact cause hasn’t been proven, though all those affected had “potential exposure” in Croatia.
Holidaymakers had stayed at 10 camping resorts, nine of which were in the Istrian peninsula.
A survey carried out by health officials to determine the cause found 14 of the 15 who responded used pools at their camp sites.
The remaining case reported contact with a person who showed symptoms within 14 days before onset of illness, health officials said.
Cases have also spiked in the UK with 2,411 reported cases between August 14 and October 1. The UK Health Security Agency called the outbreak “unprecedented”.
The NHS advises washing your hands carefully after handling animals, changing nappies and visiting the toilet as well as before, cooking, handling food, feeding the young or elderly or eating.
It also advises against drinking untreated water from rivers and streams as well as unchecked private water supplies.
Strict food hygiene should also be practised with raw dairy products avoided. Unpasteurised milk poses the greatest risk, according to the NHS.
Hands should also be washed properly and protective clothing and boots worn when visiting a farm. Children should not use a swimming pool if they have an upset stomach or diarrhoea.
