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Health agencies urge precautions against 'crypto' parasite

By Ryan Clark
Cincinnati Enquirer staff writer
Thursday, September 1, 2005

Area health officials are urging the public to help prevent the spread of an illness found in local pools.

Cryptosporidiosis, or crypto, is a diarrhea-causing parasite that can cause stomach cramps, nausea and fever, and is passed person-to-person, said Tim Ingram, Hamilton County health commissioner.

Authorities said Wednesday that more than 180 probable and confirmed cases have been identified in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky. The Ohio Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have sent staff members to assist in the disease investigation.

Last week, the Hamilton County Health Department linked nine cases of the parasite to swimming pools at the Powel Crosley Jr. YMCA in Springfield Township. The pools were later super-chlorinated to rid them of the parasite.

But the Hamilton County Health Commission is now teaming up with the Northern Kentucky Independent Health District to make the public aware of the issue just in time for the end of the summer.

"We want people to have a good time over the Labor Day weekend," Ingram said. "But we want people to understand it's up to them to help stop this disease."

To do so, he said, requires those who are showing symptoms of the disease to stay out of public pools. Frequent hand-washing is also encouraged.

"And swimming pools (are) not the only place the disease can be spread," Ingram said. "It is also spread through day-care centers and homes."

The parasite's symptoms generally begin two to 10 days after being infected and can last one to two weeks.

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August 26, 2005
www.channelcincinnati.com

CINCINNATI -- The crypto outbreak is spreading around the Tri-state, but one local health official suggests the approaching end of summer will keep it from becoming a big problem, News 5's John London reported.

Cases of the parasitic illness have now been reported in Clermont County and Northern Kentucky. The first reported local cases -- in seven kids and one adult -- were traced to a YMCA pool in Hamilton County. Now, there are 65 cases in a three-county area. All but two involve children.

Here's a rundown:

# Six confirmed cases in Clermont County. These developed before the cases in Hamilton County but were not reported immediately. They include three children whose illnesses were traced to the water spray at Woodland Mound Park.

# Seven confirmed cases in Northern Kentucky, not linked to any one pool.

# Nine confirmed cases in Hamilton County linked to the Powel Crosley YMCA in Springfield Township, plus 41 probable cases and two pending cases.

Clermont County Health Commissioner Janet Rickabaugh said the end of summer works in everyone's favor.

"The possibility of further people becoming ill is growing less and less. The weather is going to be cool and there's not as many people going to be swimming. And the news is helping to inform people. That's a very good thing," Janet Rickabaugh said. "My concern is less than it would be if this had happened at the beginning of August," she said.

Crypto, formally known as cryptosporidium, will give you cramps and severe diarrhea that can last up to two weeks. People with weakened immune systems are at even greater risk.

Crypto is spread by fecal matter. Swallowing contaminated pool water will do the trick.

The Hamilton County Health District has set up a special hot line at (513) 347-3273. People who swam at Powel Crowley after Aug. 1 are asked to call. It is staffed from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The best ways to avoid crypto:

- Wash your hands often.

- Avoid swimming.

Anyone who is infected can be contagious for up to two weeks. They are advised not to swim and not to work in day cares or restaurants during that time.

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Nine People Fall Ill, One Hospitalized

August 24, 2005
The Cincinnati Channel

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- A dangerous parasite prompted the closing of hundreds of Hamilton County swimming pools Tuesday, and at least nine people are already sick, News 5 reports.

Eight children are ill and an adult has been hospitalized after an outbreak of cryptosporidium at Powel Crosley Y.M.C.A. in Springfield Township, health officials said.

"Crypto" will give you cramps and severe diarrhea that can last up to two weeks --- or even worse.

A severe outbreak in Milwaukee in 1993 killed 100 people when "crypto" spread into the water supply. About 400,000 people were infected.

The local water supply has been tested and given the all-clear, but Hamilton County health officials are worried that swimmers could spread the outbreak to other pools, News 5 reports. The bug is spread by ingesting fecal matter.

The Hamilton County Health Department mailed letters to 320 pool operators, asking them to put up a "No Swimming" sign for eight hours and super-chlorinate the water.

"You can't kill it with normal does of chlorine and that's what we do when we ask people to super-shock their pools," said Kathy Lordo of the Hamilton County Health Department.

At Powel Crosley, they used 10 times the normal amount of chlorine, just to be sure, and they cleaned the slides and railings, trying to reassure members.

The symptoms can be tricky, and victims and doctors may not suspect "crypto."

"You can have diarrhea for a day or two and it kind of goes off for a little bit and it may flare up again," Lordo said.

The health department is trying to track the outbreak. If you were in the Powel Crosley. pool after Aug. 1 and you've had diarrhea, call health officials at (513) 347-3273 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. This number is not for general questions.

The best ways to avoid "crypto:"

- Wash your hands often.
- Avoid swimming.

Anyone who is infected can be contagious for up to two weeks. They are advised not to swim and not to work in daycare or restaurant facilities during that time.

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