Gastroenteritis outbreak in Tarazona, 50 cases diagnosed daily

An outbreak of acute gastroenteritis caused by the Cryptosporidium protozoa in Tarazona affected half a thousand people and is considered the most serious case of gastroenteritis caused by parasites in Spain.

Symptoms of this intestinal infection are abdominal pain and diarrhea and are acquired by consuming contaminated water or food or coming into contact with infected people or animals. for this reason, The first measure taken on September 10 was to ban the drinking of oral water to prevent the protozoa from continuing to affect the population.

On Thursday, November 2, the Aragonese government once again authorized the use of tap water from the public water network in Tarazona and Torreras, while in Los Fayos and Novaras, despite the absence of native animals, their consumption Not authorized yet.

According to the Aragonese Epidemiological Bulletin, September 11 to 14 was the peak period for confirmed cases of acute gastroenteritis, with more than 50 cases per day. From that day forward, Tarazona Primary Care Center recorded no more than 25 episodes per day. According to the same official source, as of September 27, 480 cases had been registered.

The source of this outbreak remains unknown.Therefore, to avoid risks, the health department plans to invest in ultraviolet equipment to ensure that the water is almost 100% drinkable. Until then, they advise the most vulnerable, such as young children and the sick, not to drink tap water.

According to experts such as Joaquín Quílez, professor of animal health at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Zaragoza, who has been analyzing such microorganisms for three decades, contamination of the Quíles River by Cryptosporidium has become the most serious problem. It is the most serious case recorded in Europe in recent years.