In 1987, the first reported case of cryptosporidiosis was documented. This occurred in Carrollton, Georgia, and affected 13,000 people. It spread through a water treatment system that had met all requirements. Also in 1993, a waterborne outbreak occurred in Wisconsin. This was a very large outbreak affecting 403,000 people. 4,400 people became hospitalized and 69 died. (Hannahs, 2011) In Utah, hundreds of public pools were closed because of reported elevated incidences of cryptosporidiosis in 2007. Children are the most likely to spread the disease when in diapers. In England, 108,000 homes were affected equaling about 250,000 people.
PUBLIC HEALTH AND PREVENTION
Cryptosporidiosis is required by law to be reported to the CDC. Prevention of this disease is extremely important. Effective handwashing is the first line of defense, especially before eating and after using the restroom. Also, avoiding contaminated food and water and not engage in sexual activities that could have possible feces contamination. Since cryptosporidium cannot always be eliminated though standard water filtration, boiling for one minute will decontaminate the water. Filtering can remove the oocytes. Treatment plants use conventional filtration technologies, which may involve coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration to rid the water supply of Cryptosporidium parvum. There is no reliable treatment or therapy for those who develop Cryptosporidiosis, although supportive measures may include the use of antibiotics, including Azithromycin, Nitazoxanide, an anti-diarrheal specific to Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia, and fluid replacement for dehydration. Prevention is also teaching people to stay away from feces and not entering pools if having diarrhea since it can reside in anal and genital areas. Cooking food thoroughly and washing vegetables can further prevent this disease. No other treatments have been determined to stop the spread, however, studies are being done to find effective methods of prevention.
NOTABLE CASES
In 1987, the first reported case of cryptosporidiosis was documented. This occurred in Carrollton, Georgia, and affected 13,000 people. It spread through a water treatment system that had met all requirements. Also in 1993, a waterborne outbreak occurred in Wisconsin. This was a very large outbreak affecting 403,000 people. 4,400 people became hospitalized and 69 died. (Hannahs, 2011) In Utah, hundreds of public pools were closed because of reported elevated incidences of cryptosporidiosis in 2007. Children are the most likely to spread the disease when in diapers. In England, 108,000 homes were affected equaling about 250,000 people.
PUBLIC HEALTH AND PREVENTION
Cryptosporidiosis is required by law to be reported to the CDC. Prevention of this disease is extremely important. Effective handwashing is the first line of defense, especially before eating and after using the restroom. Also, avoiding contaminated food and water and not engage in sexual activities that could have possible feces contamination. Since cryptosporidium cannot always be eliminated though standard water filtration, boiling for one minute will decontaminate the water. Filtering can remove the oocytes. Treatment plants use conventional filtration technologies, which may involve coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration to rid the water supply of Cryptosporidium parvum. There is no reliable treatment or therapy for those who develop Cryptosporidiosis, although supportive measures may include the use of antibiotics, including Azithromycin, Nitazoxanide, an anti-diarrheal specific to Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia, and fluid replacement for dehydration. Prevention is also teaching people to stay away from feces and not entering pools if having diarrhea since it can reside in anal and genital areas. Cooking food thoroughly and washing vegetables can further prevent this disease. No other treatments have been determined to stop the spread, however, studies are being done to find effective methods of prevention.