Food Safety
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Safety
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • White Papers
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Contamination Control
    • Food Types
    • Management
    • Process Control
    • Regulatory
    • Sanitation
    • Supply Chain
    • Testing and Analysis
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Food Safety Five Newsreel
    • eBooks
    • FSM Distinguished Service Award
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Videos
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
    • ENEWSLETTER >
      • Archive Issues
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Store
    • Sponsor Insights
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
News

Cryptosporidium, E. coli, and Campylobacter on the Rise in Ireland Compared to 2020

Map of Ireland
May 7, 2021

Reports of Cryptosporidium, Escherichia coli, and Campylobacter are on the rise in Ireland this year as compared to 2020. 

According to public health officials, all three diseases are nationally spread with no clustering, pointing to large outbreaks, but infections in rural areas have increased.

Since March 2021, Cryptosporidium cases are 200 percent greater than for the same period in 2020. This is on top of the usual seasonal upsurge that is seen between March through May each year. 

The additional Cryptosporidium cases primarily affects those aged 1 to 19 years old. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) had previously issued a warning and information sheet for parents with advice on hand hygiene. 

Until May 5, 2021, there were 574 cryptosporidiosis cases reported, according to HPSC data, compared to 197 in the same period in 2020. 

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) cases are around 50 percent higher, with the largest increase in 1 to 4 year olds, since late February. 

In the case of STEC, 218 cases have been reported so far in 2021 versus 131 in 2020. 

When comparing 2018 and 2019 to 2021, Campylobacter cases in 2021 are only up slightly. However, since late February 2021, cases have been consistently at least 25 percent higher than in any of the past three years and 100 percent higher in children ages 1 to 9. 

Case control studies indicate that the majority of Campylobacter infections were due to exposure to poultry sources, primarily in the home and associated with handling contaminated poultry meat but not chicken consumption. However, this exposure to raw or undercooked chicken is unlikely to explain the recent increase in Campylobacter infections, said officials. 

Also mentioned were drinking untreated water, fresh water bathing, and playing on beaches and in children's pools. Other reported risk factors including dining out, use of proton pump inhibitors, eating minced beef, and living close to high density poultry operations, particularly after heavy rainfall.

Because the rise in Campylobacter has shadowed that of cryptosporidiosis, experts say it's possible that a similar environmental mode of transmission could explain some of the increases.


Source: Food Safety News

KEYWORDS: Campylobacter cryptosporidium E. coli Ireland

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • people holding baby chicks

    Serovar Differences Matter: Utility of Deep Serotyping in Broiler Production and Processing

    This article discusses the significance of Salmonella in...
    Contamination Control
    By: Nikki Shariat Ph.D.
  • woman washing hands

    Building a Culture of Hygiene in the Food Processing Plant

    Everyone entering a food processing facility needs to...
    Sanitation
    By: Richard F. Stier, M.S.
  • graphical representation of earth over dirt

    Climate Change and Emerging Risks to Food Safety: Building Climate Resilience

    This article examines the multifaceted threats to food...
    Best Practices
    By: Maria Cristina Tirado Ph.D., D.V.M. and Shamini Albert Raj M.A.
Subscribe For Free!
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Website Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Food Safety Magazine audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Food Safety Magazine or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Two men standing in a produce storage facility having a discussion.
    Sponsored byOrkin Commercial

    Staying Compliant With FSMA

  • Deli Salads
    Sponsored byCorbion

    How Food Safety is Becoming the Ultimate Differentiator in Refrigerated and Prepared Foods

Popular Stories

FoodSafetyMattersFinal-900x550-(002).jpg

Ep. 195. Dr. Christopher Daubert: The Value of a Food Science Education

Students returning their lunch trays in a cafeteria

California Bill Would Remove Ultra-Processed Foods from School Lunches

Two men standing in a produce storage facility having a discussion.

Staying Compliant With FSMA

Events

June 26, 2025

How to Design and Conduct Challenge Studies for Safer Products and Longer Shelf Life

Live: June 26, 2025 at 2:00 pm EDT: During this webinar, attendees will learn how to conduct challenge studies for microbial spoilage and pathogen growth, including the common challenges encountered, laboratory selection, and use of predictive models.

May 11, 2026

The Food Safety Summit

Stay informed on the latest food safety trends, innovations, emerging challenges, and expert analysis. Leave the Summit with actionable insights ready to drive measurable improvements in your organization. Do not miss this opportunity to learn from experts about contamination control, food safety culture, regulations, sanitation, supply chain traceability, and so much more.

View All

Products

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

See More Products
Environmental Monitoring Excellence eBook

Related Articles

  • Ireland flag

    Study: STEC and Cryptosporidium Infections in Ireland Remain Highest in Europe

    See More
  • doctor talking to patient in hospital bed

    Foodborne Illnesses on the Rise in EU; Listeria Cases Reach Highest Level Since 2007

    See More
  • romaine lettuce washed on a cloth

    The Silent Threats in Our Salad Bowls: Research Harnessing Plant Defenses to Combat E. coli and Salmonella Infections

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • 1119053595.jpg

    Food Safety for the 21st Century: Managing HACCP and Food Safety throughout the Global Supply Chain, 2E

  • 1119258073.jpg

    FSMA and Food Safety Systems: Understanding and Implementing the Rules

  • 9781138070912.jpg

    Trends in Food Safety and Protection

See More Products

Related Directories

  • E-Pak Machinery

    E-PAK Machinery, Inc. is an industry leading manufacturer of in-line liquid packaging machinery. We offer a wide variety of manual, semi-automatic & fully automatic machines for filling, capping, plugging, labeling, date coding and bottle handling solutions. Our complete line of liquid filling machines & systems are designed with simple and versatile designs, built with high-quality materials to provide many years of service and offer a cost-effective solution for almost any liquid packaging application.
  • Crystal Diagnostics

    Crystal Diagnostics is passionate about food safety. We recognize the impact food safety issues can have on the health and wellness of a global population. We also understand the devastating impact food pathogen outbreaks and subsequent recalls can have on a food producer. With these items in mind, Crystal Diagnostics moved to create a breakthrough new food pathogen testing platform, the AutoXpress. Liquid Crystal Technology with step away automation, faster test time, quicker results, lower test costs, and incredible accuracy.
  • Salus Scientific Inc.

    Providing innovative bacteria enrichment and culture mediums to detect pathogenic, spoilage, or other contaminating bacteria. The Actero™ Enrichment Media benefits are one step enrichment, faster “time-to-results”, and targeted accuracy. Actero™ EZ-Media Bag provides pre-measured and pre-sterilized enrichment media that can be prepared in under 30-minutes. The newest innovation is a true Multiplex enrichment media that simultaneously enriches 2 to 3 pathogenic bacteria in one step. “Always Easy. Always Right.”
×

Never miss the latest news and trends driving the food safety industry

eNewsletter | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing