A new study has confirmed that raw milk is linked to foodborne illness. During the time period of 2013 to 2018, 75 outbreaks that caused 675 illnesses were linked to unpasteurized milk. Of these illnesses, almost half were among children and teenagers aged o to 19 years. Given that the consumption of raw milk is low in this country, with only about 1 to 2% of the adult population buying it, these numbers are shocking. The study points out that almost 80% of those outbreaks occurred in states where the sale of raw milk is allowed. Raw milk and raw milk products are a public health challenge in the United States. And laws that encourage availability of unpasteurized milk are associated with more illnesses and outbreaks. Raw milk can be contaminated with many different pathogens, … [Read more...]
Cryptosporidium Outbreak in Michigan Linked to Sick Calves
A cryptosporidium outbreak in Michigan is linked to a group of sick calves, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). A total of 12 people between the ages of 19 and 56 have been identified in this outbreak. One person has been confirmed with the infection, four people are probable cases, and there are seven suspect cases. The patients live in Livingston, Ingham, and Oakland counties in Michigan. The location of the calves was not identified in the outbreak notice. The patients got sick between November 15, 2022 and November 21, 2022. They experienced diarrhea and other symptoms of cryptosporidiosis, including nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps or pain, dehydration, fever, and weight loss. These symptoms can last for several weeks. There is treatment … [Read more...]
How Do You Know You Have a Cryptosporidium Infection?
Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that causes a diarrheal illness in humans. The parasite is hardy and has and outer shell that lets it survive in the environment for a long time. It is resistant to chlorine disinfection. It's most commonly spread by contaminated drinking water and recreational water. It is the leading cause of waterborne disease among humans in the United States. How do you know you have a Cryptosporidium infection? The most common symptom of a cryptosporidium infection is watery diarrhea. Other symptoms can include stomach cramps or pain, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, fever, and weight loss. These symptoms usually appear two to 10 days after exposure to the parasite. However, some people who are infected will not have any symptoms. People are usually … [Read more...]
Study Finds Cow Manure Contaminates WI Wells and Causes Cryptosporidium
A new federal study released today has found that it's possible that cow manure contaminates wells in a county in Wisconsin and causes Cryptosporidium illnesses. The researchers looked at private wells in Kewaunee County, which is in northeastern Wisconsin on Lake Michigan. The county has a population of about 20,000 people, but there are 100,000 head of cattle in the area. About 12,000 residents get their water from private wells. The study used data from a countrywide pathogen occurrence study that lasted for a year. The scientist put the numbers into a quantitative microbial risk assessment to predict the cases of acute gastrointestinal illness linked to those wells. The results found that private well contamination could cause more than 300 acute gastrointestinal illnesses per … [Read more...]
After Severe Weather, What Does a Boil Water Notice Mean?
Many people in different parts of the country have been, and will be, under a "boil water" notice after severe weather strikes. So what does a boil water notice mean? These advisories are often issued after a flood or when there is an issue with local water services, such as broken water mains or a sewage spill. Everyone should pay attention to these advisories and notices and follow them rigorously to protect health. Boil water notices are issued to protect the public from waterborne infectious agents that can range from parasites to E. coli and other pathogens to viruses. When a notice is issued, everyone should stop using water from the tap until a government agency says that the water is again safe to drink and use in cooking and cleaning. Heat treatments and filtration can … [Read more...]
Roux Farm Raw Milk Cryptosporidiosis Outbreak in Maine Sickens Four
A raw milk cryptosporidiosis outbreak in Maine is linked to raw milk produced at Roux Farm in Shapleigh. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention released a statement about this outbreak, which has sickened four people over the last two months. Anyone who consumed raw milk from Roux Farm that was produced before October 18, 2020 may be at elevated risk of contracting cryptosporidiosis. The raw milk was sold through several stores in Maine. Cryptosporidium is a parasite that causes watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, dehydration, vomiting, nausea, fever, and weight loss. The parasite can infect humans and animals. The symptoms of the infection typically start two to ten days after infection. Consuming raw dairy products is a risk factor for contracting this infection, … [Read more...]
Cryptosporidium Outbreaks Have Increased by 13% Year Over Year
According to a study published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, cryptosporidium outbreaks in 40 states and Puerto Rico have increased by 13% year over year in this country. Leading causes for this illness include swallowing contaminated water in pools or water playgrounds, contact with infected cattle, and contact with infected people in childcare settings. From 2009 to 2017, there were 444 cryptosporidiosis outbreaks from 40 states and Puerto Rico that caused 7,465 illnesses. Twenty-two of those outbreaks were associated with unpasteurized milk and apple cider. And the report states that the outbreaks likely underestimate the actual number of cryptosporidiosis outbreaks, and the reported number of cases "likely underestimate the actual magnitude of individual … [Read more...]
Shades of Sherwood Campground Cryptosporidium Outbreak Grows to 72
The Shades of Sherwood Campground Cryptosporidium outbreak in Zumbrota, Minnesota has grown to include 72 sick. That is an increase of 69 more patients since the first outbreak notice was posted on August 3, 2018. The Minnesota Department of Health investigators are working with the owner to determine ongoing risks and to take steps to control those risks in the future. Information from the public helped determine the number of illnesses in this outbreak. The owner has taken several steps to prevent more illnesses of this type at the recommendation of health officials. The swimming pool was temporary closed and hyper-chlorinated to kill the parasite. The pool has reopened. The campground posted signs at the pool warning visitors not to swim for two weeks if they have been … [Read more...]
Cryptosporidiosis Outbreak at Shades of Sherwood Campground in Zumbrota, MN
An outbreak of cryptosporidiosis has occurred among people who visited the Shades of Sherwood Campground in Zumbrota, Minnesota. Three people have been sickened in this outbreak; one person has been hospitalized. One of these patients was also infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. Minnesota Department of health investigators want to speak with anyone who has visited the Shades of Sherwood Campground since July 1, 2018, whether or not they have been sick. The press release states that "This step is especially important in this investigation because MDH investigators have been unable to get key information from the facility itself." If you visited that campground during the month of July, please call the MDH Waterborne Diseases Unit at 651-201-5794. Cryptosporidiosis is a … [Read more...]
Water World Cryptosporidium Giardia Outbreak in Federal Heights, CO; Lawsuits
A cryptosporidium and giardia outbreak have been associated with the Water World park in Federal Heights, Colorado, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. Two people have been diagnosed with cryptosporidium infections, and one person has been diagnosed with a giardia infection. This Water World cryptosporidium giardia outbreak was reported on June 28, 2018. People who are at risk for these infections visited Water World on Monday, June 11, Tuesday, June 12, or Wednesday, June 13, 2018. A power outage and repair of an improperly installed back flow prevention assembly likely allowed water from an irrigation pond to flow into the Water World drinking supply. Untreated water may have contaminated swimming pools and water features, drinking … [Read more...]
