Cryptosporidium outbreak in Missoula
10.aug.06
Missoula Missoulian (MT)
MISSOULA - Six confirmed cryptosporidium cases - two of them more epidemiologically linked - have been received by the Missoula City-County Health Department during the last week and a half.
Crypto is a diarrheal disease caused by a microscopic parasite similar to Giardia. Once an animal or person is infected the parasite lives in the intestine and passes in the stool.
The eight Missoula crypto cases have been exposed to many different recreational water sources during the 2 to 12 days prior to their onset of illness. The health department has been unable to identify a single common source.
The parasite is protected by a tough outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it very resistant to chlorine-based disinfectants meaning it can survive for days even in swimming pools with adequate chlorine levels. The chlorine levels continue to be effective against bacteria and viruses including norovirus.
Crypto lives in the intestine of infected humans or animals. It is found in soil, food, water or on surfaces that have been contaminated with infected feces. If a person swallows the parasite they become infected. Other sources besides recreational water include accidentally putting something into your mouth or swallowing something that has come into contact with feces of a person or animal infected with crypto; eating uncooked food contaminated with crypto; or accidentally swallowing crypto picked up from surfaces such as bathroom fixtures, changing tables, diaper pails or toys contaminated with feces from an infected person.
The health department is urging residents who play or swim in recreational waters - including streams, rivers, lakes, pools, hot tubs and splash parks - to learn about crypto and take precautions.
During the past two decades crypto has become recognized as one of the most common causes of waterborne disease in humans in the United States. The parasite can be found in recreational water in every part of the country.
The most common symptom of crypto is watery diarrhea. Other symptoms include dehydration, weight loss, stomach cramps or pain, fever, nausea and vomiting. Some people with crypto will have no symptoms at all.
In persons with healthy immune systems symptoms usually last about one to two weeks. Symptoms may go in cycles. People are urged to contact a health care provider if symptoms are severe and last more than a couple of days.
The health department also offered six "pleas" for protection from recreational water illnesses:
do not swim when you have diarrhea, especially kids in diapers; do not swallow recreational water including at splash decks; practice good general hygiene; take kids on bathroom breaks or check diapers often; change diapers in a bathroom and not at poolside or near other recreational water; wash your child - especially the rear end - thoroughly with soap and water before swimming.
According to state pool inspector Jerry Cormier Missoula city pools already exceed state regulations for pool sanitation. Chlorine levels will be increased and shock treatments will be used during pool closure hours to help reduce the risk for crypto.
For more information: health department info line, 258-3500.
On the Web:
http://www.cdc.gov/NCIDOD/DPD/parasites/cryptosporidiosis/factsht_cryptosporidiosis.htm.
