Page 7 - Cryptosporidiosis in neonatal calves

Cryptosporidiosis in neonatal calves PAGE 7

Preventng the introducton of Cryptosporidium parvum onto a farm

Once a herd becomes infected with C. parvum, the parasite rapidly becomes established and is very difcult to
eradicate. In most clean herds disease is introduced through the purchase of infected calves. Thus farmers in
general and partcularly those with cryptosporidiosis-free herds should never buy in calves in the susceptble
age group (less than 2 weeks old). However, if for whatever reason young calves have to be introduced into a
herd then ideally, they should be purchased from a cryptosporidiosis-free herd and segregated from the resident
calves untl they are past the age when they are at high risk of infecton.

Preventon of human infecton

(i) Cryptosporidium parvum is also a highly infectous disease of humans and is especially dangerous for young
children, immunocompromised individuals and elderly adults.

(ii) Humans become infected through contact with infected animals and through ingeston of contaminated
food and water.
Animal handlers/farm workers/owners should be ever mindful of the dangers of transmitng cryptosporidiosis to
their family and the wider community.
(i) It is critcal that animal handlers, farm workers and owners wash their hands, change their clothes and
footwear afer handling calves and especially afer handling sick calves. Adherence to strict sanitaton and
hygiene protocols is necessary to ensure that animal workers do not become infected and to decrease the
likelihood of them contaminatng their family environment.
(ii) Children and immunocompromised adults should not be allowed to handle or care for sick calves

(iii) Farm owners should comply with all the regulatons regarding the collecton, storage and disposal of
slurry and run-of water from animal buildings. This reduces the incidence of ground and surface water
contaminaton with Cryptosporidium oocysts and should ensure a clean water supply for their families and
the general public.
Disposal of slurry and dung

Farmers should be very careful when disposing of slurry and dung from calves that have been infected with C. parvum.
Slurry and dung containing Cryptosporidium spp.oocysts can contaminate surface and ground water and if this water
is used as a source for potable water then there is every likelihood that humans will get cryptosporidiosis.

Preventng surface and ground water contaminaton
(a) Only spread slurry and dung on land during those tmes of the year allowed by natonal regulatons

(b) Do not spread immediately before or afer rain or on excessively wet pasture
(c) Do not spread on felds with a large slope

(d) Do not spread closer than 10m to a ditch or stream