Preliminary investigation of a significant national Cryptosporidium exceedance in the United Kingdom, August 2023 and ongoing

Abstract

Routine laboratory surveillance has identified an unprecedented and ongoing exceedance of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. across the United Kingdom, notably driven by <i>C. hominis</i> transmission, since 14 August 2023. Information from 477 reported cases in England and Wales, followed up with a standardised exposure questionnaire as of 25 September 2023, identified foreign travel in 250 (54%) of 463 respondents and swimming in 234 (66%) of 353 cases. A significant, common exposure has not yet been identified in first analyses.