Raw goat milk from Treasured Sunrise Acres in Parma, Idaho has tested positive for cryptosporidium. Consumers who purchased raw goat milk from the farm on or after August 24 should not drink it. The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) has placed a hold on raw milk sales at the farm. Cryptosporidium is a parasite commonly associated with outbreaks at water parks and pools. It's hard outer shell makes it resistant to chlorine-based disinfectants and enables it to survive outside a host's body for long stretches of time. It is spread when microscopic amounts of feces from an infected human or animal are ingested. Symptoms of a cryptosporidium infection include: watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, fever, vomiting and weight loss. They usually develop within two to 10 … [Read more...]
Cryptosporidium Outbreak in Pinellas County, Florida
The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County has announced an increase in the number of cases of cryptosporidiosis. That parasite is associated with the Tarpon Springs Splash Park. The three confirmed cases of Crypto had been at that Park during the fourth week of July, 2014, which is the incubation period for the time they were diagnosed. The City has replaced and treated the water and all systems at the Park on August 1, 2014. The park is closed to repeat this process and may reopen this weekend. Cryptosporidium is a parasite that infects mammals. The symptoms of illness include loose, watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, nausea, coughing, and a low grade fever. It is spread through feces and through contact with contaminated food, surfaces, and water. It can survive … [Read more...]
Cryptosporidium Outbreak in Pinellas County, Florida
The Florida Department of Health has issued a public health alert for a Cryptosporidium outbreak in Pinellas county. As of July 29, 2014, 58 people have been sickened with this parasite in that county. The organisms is found in water that has been contaminated with fecal matter. People usually get sick when they swim in water that has the parasite, or when they touch surfaces or eat food contaminated with feces. Water parks and public pools are sometimes contaminated with the parasite. In fact, half of the cases in this current outbreak are associated with public pools and water parks in the county. Cryptosporidium cysts remain in the feces and can survive in chlorinated pools. When the cysts are swallowed or go up your nose, you get sick. There is no cure for Cryptosporidiasis. The … [Read more...]
Cryptosporidium Outbreak in Iowa Linked to Unpasteurized Apple Cider
According to the Johnson County Public Health department in Iowa, an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis, a disease caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium, is linked to unpasteurized apple cider. All of the eleven ill persons are recovering. One person was hospitalized. This illness outbreak is the latest in Iowa this year; more than 1,200 people have been sickened with cryptosporidiosis this year in that state. Unpasteurized apple cider, like unpasteurized milk and cheese, is a health risk. Doug Beardsley, Johnson County Public Health Director, said in a statement, "You can't tell if cider is contaminated just by looking at it. In fact, there is no difference in taste or smell either. The key to preventing illness associated with apple cider is purchasing product that has been pasteurized, … [Read more...]
Mounting Cases of Cryptosporidiosis in Iowa
In addition to battling an outbreak of Cyclospora infections and a Salmonella outbreak, the state of Iowa is reported increased Cryptosporidiosis cases this summer. That parasite is usually spread through people with diarrhea swimming in pools, lakes, and rivers. The parasite gets into the water and people contract the illness when they swallow swimming water. There have been at least 358 cases of Cryptosporidiosis reported to the Iowa Department of Public Health this year; 272 reported since June 1, 2013. An additional 138 cases are under investigation. To prevent infection, it's important that if anyone is experiencing diarrhea, including children in diapers, they should not swim. If you have been diagnosed with Crypto, do not swim for at least two weeks after the diarrhea ends. … [Read more...]
Prevent Recreational Water Illnesses this Summer
The Minnesota Department of Health is warning people to take steps to prevent illnesses caused by recreational water this summer. People swimming in contaminated water can and have become ill from Cryptosporidium, E. coli O157:H7, norovirus, Shigella, and Giardia. When people are sick with a diarrheal illness, just a tiny speck of feces can contain millions of germs and contaminate a pool. Chlorine unfortunately is not a foolproof method of killing these parasites and bacteria. Last year, there were a record number of 11 recreational waterborne outbreaks in Minnesota, resulting in almost 200 documented illnesses. All but one of those outbreaks occurred in treated water. In addition, there were two outbreaks linked to splash pads for the first time last year. Even though there is no … [Read more...]
CDC Releases Cryptosporidiosis Surveillance Report
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released its 2009 - 2010 surveillance summary for Cryptosporidium in the United States. The Cryptosporidium protozoa causes the gastrointestinal illness cryptosporidiosis. During the reporting period, fifty state and two metropolitan public health agencies (District of Columbia and New York City) reported cases of the disease through the CDC's National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System. In 2009, 7,656 confirmed and probable cases were reported. That increased to 8,951 confirmed and probable cases in 2010. The cases were most frequently reported in children aged 1 to 9 years, followed by adults aged 25 to 29 years. The cryptosporidiosis rate in the Midwest was 1.3 to 2.9 times greater than other regions in 2009 and 1.8 to 4.6 … [Read more...]
Cryptosporidium Outbreak at Minnesota Water Parks
There has been an outbreak of Cryptosporidium at two Minnesota water parks. This parasite causes a gastrointestinal disease with diarrhea. While most people recover in a couple of weeks, some people can develop life-threatening complications. Children, the elderly, those with compromised immune systems, and anyone with a chronic illness are most susceptible to complications. The parasite's oocysts can resist many different disinfectants. Transmission is from fecal contamination in the water; swimmers swallow water that contains the parasite. Trisha Robinson, Epidemiologist in Acute Disease Investigation and Control at the Minnesota Department of Health told Food Poisoning Bulletin that there was an outbreak at the Edgewater Resort and Waterpark in Duluth, and a second outbreak at a … [Read more...]
