Two weeks ago, Delaware County health officials reported at least 19 people contracted cryptosporidiosis after visiting Zoombezi Bay in July.
Advertisement
The outbreak in Maricopa County was first recognized by health officials on August 4.
Public health officials are reaching out and working with pool operators, schools and day care facilities by providing them with information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on preventing the spread of the bacteria. Patients might also experience stomach cramps, stomach ache, dehydration, nausea, vomiting, fever and weight loss. “Right now, this outbreak is community-wide (sic) and there is an increased risk to those swimming at recreational water facilities”.
Not everybody infected with Crypto will exhibit symptoms, the most common of which is watery diarrhea that starts between two and 10 days after infection. Most otherwise healthy people recover in a week or two without treatment.
Do not swim or play in recreational water (pools, hot tubs, splash pads, lakes, rivers, etc.) if you have diarrhea and for at least 2 weeks after the diarrhea stops.
“Although Crypto can infect all people, Individuals with weakened immune systems can have more prolonged symptoms and should contact their healthcare provider for additional guidance”, advises Dr. Sunenshine. It starts when an infected person contaminates the water with fecal matter – poop.
Crypto is a parasite that causes a diarrheal illness that is highly contagious and typically spread through bodies of water, including pools.
Drink water from safe sources such as municipal water.
According to the MCDPH, Crypto can survive even in properly chlorinated water for a long period of time.
There are, however, things you can do to protect yourself and others.
Health officials say people who are sick should stay home or at least avoid pools and water parks, where cryptosporidiosis and other diseases easily pass from person to person. It can last for one to two weeks and in more severe cases, as long as a month.
Avoid food preparation while symptoms last. Dr. Suneshine also stressed the importance to not swallow water while swimming and to wash your hands with soap and water after exiting the water.
– Children with diarrhea should be excluded from child care settings until it has stopped. Private pools generally pose less risk.
Wash hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, changing diapers and before eating.
Advertisement
Parents should take toddlers and young children on frequent bathroom breaks and ensure children who aren’t toilet-trained use a swim diaper. Alcohol based hand sanitizer is not effective against crypto.
