Media Statement: Cryptosporidium Update - Monday 25 September

As of 10 am, Monday 25 September, there are 31 confirmed cases of cryptosporidium (crypto), 7 probable cases, and 8 under investigation.  

A source of infection has yet to be identified, but investigations are actively ongoing as we work to determine the source. We are working closely with Queenstown Lakes District Council, Taumata Arowai and the Ministry of Primary Industries to ensure all possibilities are being considered. 

Visiting Queenstown 

If you and your whānau are visiting Queenstown over the school holiday period, please be aware that parts of Queenstown are on a boil water notice. Talk with your accommodation about if it is in the boil water zone.   

If you visit Queenstown and come down with any symptoms of crypto (smelly, watery diarrhoea and stomach cramps) you should do the following: 

While in Queenstown 

• Call Queenstown Medical Centre on 03 441 0500 or your own GP. They will determine if testing is the best option for you. 

• Call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice for managing your health. 

If you have returned home 

• Call your GP and tell them you have been in Queenstown. They will determine if testing is the best option for you. 

• Call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice for managing your health. 

Public health advice: 

Crypto 

• The most common symptom of cryptosporidium infection is smelly, watery diarrhoea and stomach cramps. 

• People who live, work or have visited Queenstown and Frankton on or after August 18 and have symptoms of diarrhoea and/or stomach cramps, should call their GP or health provider to inform them and arrange testing if needed. Do not show up with a sample without having first talked with your healthcare provider.   

• Weekend testing is available. Please call your GP to find out where to go. 

• You can also call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice for managing your health. 

• Most people manage self-limiting illnesses such as gastroenteritis at home and do not seek medical care or testing. 

• The best thing you and your whānau can do to stop the spread of cryptosporidium (crypto) infection is to practise good hand hygiene. This means washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and drying them thoroughly with a clean towel. 

• Hand sanitiser is not effective for countering crypto.  

• If you are on a boil water notice, please boil water in advance if you are able to. Plan ahead in case of power cuts. Boil water for 1 minute and store in a clean container with a lid. 

• Lakes District Hospital has clean water, and a water tanker has been brought in to continue to supply clean water. 

Flooding 

• Avoid contact with flood waters if you can and assume it is contaminated by sewage. 

• If you do come into contact with flood waters, change out of any wet clothes and shoes and put them aside to wash later. Wash skin that has come into contact with flood waters and wash your hands as soon as you can. 

• All items that have come into contact with flood waters should be treated with caution. 

• For those cleaning up, please use protective clothing, gloves, sturdy footwear and face masks.