A Cryptosporidium outbreak in Caldwell County, North Carolina has sickened an unnamed number of residents, according to the Caldwell County Health Department. No patient age range or illness onset dates were given in the press release, and there is no word on whether or not anyone has been hospitalized. Officials are also not saying if contaminated food or drink, contaminated recreational water, or contact with animals caused these illnesses. Cryptosporidiosis is caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium. The parasite is spread through person to person contact, through contact with surfaces, and also through food and water that has been contaminated with feces containing the parasite. Swallowing contaminated recreational water is the most common way of contracting this infection. In … [Read more...]