14/04/2026
What is cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium is a parasite (a tiny organism) that causes an illness or disease called cryptosporidiosis affecting people and some animals, particularly farm animals. It can be found in the intestines and faeces of infected humans and animals, and may contaminate lakes, streams and rivers, swimming pools, untreated or poorly treated water, food, especially raw milk and fresh produce, and objects such as farm gates and outdoor boots and clothing.
Current Public Health Scotland guidance does not require stool samples from every patient who has developed diarrhoeal symptoms following a lamb‑feeding or open‑farm exposure. Once there is a clear epidemiological link, testing is usually selective rather than routine.
Stool samples are generally reserved for patients with severe or prolonged symptoms, those who are clinically vulnerable or immunocompromised, patients in high‑risk occupations (e.g. food handlers or healthcare), or where Public Health specifically request samples as part of outbreak surveillance. In otherwise well patients with a clear exposure history and self‑limiting symptoms, supportive management and public‑health advice is appropriate without routine stool testing.
If Public Health require targeted testing or additional surveillance, they would usually contact practices directly. In the meantime, we should manage conservatively to avoid overwhelming both primary care and microbiology services.
Information on cryptosporidium including sources and routes of transmission, symptoms, and general hygiene advice to minimise the spread.
