CousCous: Cryptosporidium outbreak detection and source attribution in humans and animals

Cryptosporidium is a unicellular parasite that can cause intestinal inflammation and diarrhea in humans and animals. Approximately 70.000 persons are infected with this parasite in the Netherlands every year. Infections can be acquired via contact with the feces of infected humans or animals, the consumption of contaminated food, or via contaminated surface water. The source of the infection is often unknown, which complicates the prevention of new infections and outbreaks and limits insight in the spread of this pathogen in the Netherlands.

Aim

In this project, new typing methods will be applied to gain insight into the types of Cryptosporidium infecting humans and animals. 

(Expected) results

This information will aid source identification and contact tracing, outbreak control and prevention.