Multi-county cryptosporidium outbreak

Posted August 23, 2007

Multi-county cryptosporidium outbreak; increasing surveillance
An increase in laboratory-confirmed cases of cryptosporidiosis has been reported in Dubuque and Cerro Gordo Counties. Several of these cases are children 18 years old and younger; and have a history of swimming in indoor and outdoor recreational water sites in surrounding counties.

IDPH is asking clinicians to test patients suspected of having cryptosporidiosis or other significant diarrheal illness regardless of exposure history for the next 30 days. Early detection of diarrheal disease enables public health to investigate and prevent further spread of disease. If you see a patient with diarrhea, consider testing for cryptosporidiosis by obtaining stool samples for either the rapid antigen test or stool culture. Testing may be conducted at your usual reference laboratory.
The primary symptom in patients is diarrhea, which may be profuse and watery, preceded by anorexia and vomiting in children. Diarrhea is associated with abdominal pain. Fever, malaise, anorexia, nausea, and vomiting occur less often.

To control cryptosporidiosis outbreaks it is important that health care providers and public health work closely to stop the disease from spreading further. Please help educate patients not to swim while having diarrhea and for 2 weeks after symptoms subside. Children should not attend daycare if having diarrhea; and staff of restaurant, daycare, and healthcare facilities should not work if having diarrhea illness. More information can be found in the EPI Manual at www.idph.state.ia.us or if you have any questions please contact CADE at 1-800-362-2736.