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Health
Department Reports Increase of Crypto Cases
The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department reports an
increase in cases of Cryptosporidiosis (Crypto) in Lucas
County in 2017. Over 120 cases of Cryptosporidium
have been reported since the beginning of 2017, compared to
36 cases in 2016 year-to-date. Crypto is a disease that
causes watery diarrhea. It is caused by a parasite called
Cryptosporidium. The parasites can be found in food,
water, soil, or on surfaces dirty hands that have been
contaminated with the feces of humans or animals infected
with Crypto.
The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department is diligently
working to determine similarities among cases, and provide
education to help prevent the spread of illness in the
community.
Other than watery diarrhea, some individuals may report
stomach cramps or pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and
dehydration. The symptoms typically develop 2 to 10 days
(average 7 days) after becoming infected with the parasite.
Crypto can be spread by:
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Swallowing recreational water (for example, the water in
swimming pools, fountains, lakes, rivers) contaminated
with Crypto
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Drinking untreated water from a lake or river that is
contaminated with Crypto
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Swallowing water, ice, or beverages contaminated with
poop from infected humans or animals
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Eating undercooked food or drinking unpasteurized/raw
apple cider or milk that gets contaminated with Crypto
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Touching your mouth with contaminated hands
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Hands can become contaminated through a variety of
activities, such as touching surfaces or objects (e.g.,
toys, bathroom fixtures, changing tables, diaper pails)
that have been contaminated by poop from an infected
person, changing diapers, caring for an infected person,
and touching an infected animal
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Exposure to poop from an infected person through
oral-anal sexual contact
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Pet feces
Crypto is not spread through contact with blood.
To help prevent Crypto, practice proper hand hygiene before
preparing or eating food; after using the toilet; before and
after tending to someone who is ill with diarrhea and after
changing diapers.
To keep swimming pools free from contamination, children and
adults should not swim in a pool or enter a spa until at
least two weeks after they have completely recovered from a
diarrheal illness. Those concerned about their symptoms
should contact their health-care provider. For more
information on Cryptosporidium please visit cdc.gov/parasites/crypto.
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