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Dave Fotsch
Public Information Officer
Central District Health Department
208-327-8639
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September 06, 2007
Rise in Crypto Cases Prompts Warnings
The number of cryptosporidiosis cases reported to the Central District Health Department continues to rise. As of Thursday September 6, 2007 the district had 76 confirmed cases. Most cases have been reported in the last 30 days. This number far exceeds the record of 16 cases reported in a single year. All confirmed cases have been from Ada County and have a history of exposure to public recreational water features, large community swimming pools, lakes, rivers and canals. The increase in cryptosporidiosis cases is leading public health officials to alert medical providers, pool operators, child care providers, schools and the public about the outbreak and remind them of measures they can take to reduce the spread of the disease.
Cryptosporidiosis, commonly known as "crypto," is a diarrheal disease caused by tiny parasites. It is usually spread by accidentally swallowing water that has been contaminated with human stool or animal waste. The most frequent symptom is watery diarrhea with abdominal cramping, which can be accompanied by dehydration, weight loss, abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting. If people have been in recreational waters and are experiencing persistent, watery diarrhea, they are urged to consult their healthcare provider.
Once a person is infected, the parasites live in the intestines and are passed in the stool. There is effective medical treatment, consult your healthcare provider for more information. Infected persons can continue to spread the disease for several weeks after diarrhea subsides, so they should avoid activities involving recreational waters for at least two weeks after diarrhea subsides.
Medical Providers
The Central District Health Department has sent a Health Alert Network (HAN) message to health care providers in the district, urging physicians to be aware of the presence of cryptosporidium in the area, to test for the disease in patients presenting symptoms, and to report such cases to the health district. The information can aid the health district's ongoing efforts to stop the outbreak.
Pool Operators
Because crypto can survive for days in even properly chlorinated pools, CDHD is recommending pool operators super-chlorinate public swimming pools with 20 parts per million (ppm) chlorine for 8-9 hours to inactivate the cryptosporidium parasite. Long term and consistent cryptosporidium inactivation may involve additional disinfection technologies such as ozone and ultraviolet light. Contact a swimming pool maintenance consultant for more information. CDHD will post to its website information for pool operators on labs that test for cryptosporidium.
CDHD is also recommending that pool operators educate pool users with signage reminding them of the importance of proper hygiene in stopping the spread of waterborne disease.
Owners of home pools and spas might consider contacting a pool maintenance contractor if they are concerned about the possibility of contamination.
Child Care Providers
There is evidence that the cryptosporidiosis outbreak may now be reaching into area child care facilities. CDHD is recommending that all children and staff members presenting with the symptoms of cryptosporidiosis be excluded from child care facilities until their diarrhea has stopped. Those with symptoms are advised to consult their medical providers. Children who had symptoms but are now better must be excluded from all activities involving recreational water for at least two weeks. Further, good hand washing practices are more important than ever.
Child care workers should wash their hands well after using the toilet, after diapering children, after handling animals, and before preparing or serving food. They must also ensure that children wash their hands well after using the toilet, after their diapers have been changed, after handling animals, and before eating.
Schools
Interviews with school nurses in Ada County indicate an increased number of children absent with gastrointestinal illness. This may be associated with the cryptosporidiosis outbreak. Children presenting with symptoms should be excluded from school until their diarrhea subsides, and excluded from all activities involving recreational water for at least two weeks after symptoms subside.
General Public
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Don't swim if you have diarrhea. This is especially important for kids in diapers.
- Don't swallow the pool water. Avoid getting pool water in your mouth.
- Practice good hygiene. Take a shower before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers.
- Take your kids to the bathroom on a regular basis.
- Change diapers in a bathroom, not at poolside.
- Wash your child thoroughly (especially the rear end) with soap and water before swimming.
- Individuals experiencing persistent, watery diarrhea should consult their health care provider. Effective medical treatment is available.
Communicable Disease - 'Disease du jour'
