In 2023, which is the last year ESR has data for, there were 31 cases of the illness in the Capital and Coast and Hutt Valley DHB areas. In 2022 there were 42.
“Health NZ has alerted all pools to the current increase in gastro illness. When there is increased crypto illness in our communities it is recommended that all pools take additional action to reduce the likelihood of the crypto bug circulating in their pool system,” Palmer said.
Cryptosporidiosis is a disease caused by a microscopic germ (parasite) called Cryptosporidium. Image / CDC
“We have also issued advice to early childhood centres across the Greater Wellington region as crypto can spread easily, especially among younger children.
“Crypto is a gastro bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea, and people can remain infectious for up to two weeks, which is why good hygiene and cleaning practices are important. People who have been unwell must not swim for two weeks afterdiarrhoea has stopped – crypto can still spread for two weeks after the illness has gone away."
Lower Hutt woman Sarah, who is only being referred to by her first name, last week said her husband and 1-year-old son caught the bug and were so violently ill “I nearly called an ambulance”.
“[My husband] was on the toilet at 2am screaming for me to go get a bucket,” she told the Herald.
“I ran down to get a bucket and came back and he’d passed out from overheating, pretty much, but it was almost like a seizure. His eyes were open and he was leaning back.
“I freaked and went to get my phone to call an [ambulance], and slapped him and he came to.”
She said his body temperature was extremely high and he was sweaty, shaking and could not keep any water down.
“Anything he took came straight back out. He was also getting super-intense stomach cramps, it was incredibly painful for him.”
She joked the experience was an example of “through sickness and health, pretty much”.
Meanwhile, her toddler was “vomiting and sh***ing left, right and centre”.
He was “really hard to wake”, but was “happy enough” when he was conscious.
Washing with soap and water is recommended over using hand sanitiser, which does not kill the parasite. Photo / Hafiez Razali
Sarah said the bug was “brutal”.
Health officials have confirmed cryptosporidiosis cases were connected to the toddler pool at Te Ngaengae and the hydrotherapy pool at Huia.
In response, Hutt City Council closed and disinfected both pools using high doses of chlorine and ultraviolet light in accordance with public health guidelines.
“As soon as we were made aware, we took immediate action,” read a statement at the time from Hutt City Pools + Fitness.
“Both pools were closed and underwent an intensive treatment process … There is no indication there had been further cases from the complex.”
As a further precaution, several pools were drained and refilled.
“We have decided to close the shallow leisure and deep leisure pools at Te Ngaengae … and the Huia hydrotherapy pool so they can be fully drained and refilled with fresh water.”
Health recommendations include:
Soap and water instead of hand sanitiser, which does not kill the parasite.
Close monitoring of tamariki hand washing, especially after illness.
Cleaning with hot, soapy water before applying disinfectants like bleach, as crypto is resistant to many cleaners.
Strict pool hygiene rules, including ensuring children shower and use the toilet before swimming, and avoiding pools for two weeks post-illness.
The parasite cryptosporidium can cause vomiting, cramping and diarrhoea, and is not easily detected in regular pool-water testing.
Melissa Nightingale is a Wellington-based reporter who covers crime, justice, and news in the capital. She joined the Herald in 2016 and has worked as a journalist for 10 years.
