The Cryptosporidium problem in water and food supplies

Upon excretion in the faeces of infected hosts (human or animal), Cryptosporidium spp. are transmitted through agricultural and aqueous environments in the form of stable, robust oocysts which cause infection following ingestion. The major sources of oocysts which infect humans are other humans, animals and the environment, especially water but also food. Many important points regarding this intestinal parasite have yet to be addressed. Although foodborne transmission has rarely been reported, the first large outbreak, which involved a freshly prepared apple drink, was documented recently. The significance of ingestion of contaminated food in the spread of the disease is largely uninvestigated. This article considers the current status of knowledge about Cryptosporidium and its significance for food and beverage production.