Outbreak of Cryptosporidium hominis following river flooding in the city of Halle (Saale), Germany, August 2013.

Background: During weeks 32-33, 2013, 24 cases of cryptosporidiosis were notified in the city of Halle (annual mean 2008-2012: 9 cases). We investigated the outbreak to identify the source and recommend control measures, considering that between weeks 23-25 the river Saale which flows through the city centre overflowed the floodplain, parts of the city centre and damaged sewage systems.

Methods: We defined a case as a resident of Halle with gastroenteritis, Cryptosporidium-positive stool and disease onset weeks 27 through 47.

Microbiological investigations for sanitary assessment of wastewater treated in constructed wetlands.

Microbiological investigations into the occurrence and fate of pathogens in wastewater were carried out in a multi-annual measurement programme, using samples from three artificial wetlands equipped with pre-treatment systems (multi-chamber septic tanks, lagoons) and predominantly treating domestic wastewater. In this study, the concentrations of indicator organisms and pathogenic or potentially pathogenic microorganisms were determined in the various components or stages of the systems. The evaluation of data from some 3.