FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Sept. 2, 2011

Cryptosporidium infections preventable

Area health departments urge residents and visitors to protect themselves from cryptosporidium, commonly known as crypto. Crypto is a parasitic infection that spreads easily from person to person and can cause severe diarrhea that can last for one to two weeks.

The infection spreads by accidentally swallowing the parasite, resulting in an infection. Two ways this commonly happens is by swallowing contaminated recreational water or by touching your mouth with contaminated hands. It is not spread by contact with blood.

With the recent increase in reports of crypto infections in the metro, the following steps decrease the risk spreading this infection:

• Do not get into recreational water such as pools, hot tubs, spas, water or spray parks, rivers, streams or ponds if you or a member of your household has had diarrhea within the last two weeks, or you may accidentally contaminate the water. If you are shedding the parasite, a fecal accident in the water does not have to happen for the water to be contaminated. Just being in the water when shedding the parasite can contaminate the water. Normal pool chlorination does not kill crypto, and the parasite can survive for days in pool water. Environmental experts recommend that contaminated recreational water facilities should either close for the brief remainder of the outdoor season or hyper-chlorinate their water at intervals to decrease risk of re-contamination.
• Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and water, especially after using the toilet or changing diapers and before eating or preparing food.
• Avoid sexual practices that may result in oral contact with stool.
• If you have symptoms or have been exposed to crypto, avoid contact with anyone who has a weakened immune system.
• Children with diarrhea should be removed from day care settings until the diarrhea has stopped.
• Though the most common symptom is diarrhea that lasts for one to two weeks, other symptoms may include stomach cramps or pain, vomiting, fever, weight loss and dehydration. Some people with crypto infections might have no symptoms, but they are still contagious.

“Most people with a healthy immune system recover without any medical treatment,” said Larry Jones, director of the City of Independence Health Department. “Some people with weakened immune systems may be prescribed a treatment for the infection. However, the treatment is not effective for everyone, so it is better to prevent the initial infection.”

For more information on cryptosporidium or on decontamination or hyper-chlorination procedures for recreational water, contact your local health or environmental department.

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