Crypto Outbreak Continues to Grow with 202 Cases in Central Ohio: 8.18.2016
Press
Release
August
18,
2016
Contacts:
Jose
Rodriguez, Columbus Public Health, 614-604-5025, [email protected]
Mitzi
Kline, Franklin County Public Health, 614-525-3028, [email protected]
Traci
Whittaker, Delaware General Health District, 740-203-2085, [email protected]
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Crypto Outbreak Continues to Grow with 202
Cases in Central Ohio
Public
Health Working with Pools, Schools and Child Care Facilities to Prevent New Infections
The
community outbreak of cryptosporidiosis -- commonly known as
Cryptosporidium
or crypto – continues to grow with 202 cases in Columbus, Franklin and Delaware
counties.
The
number of reported cases so far this year is more than the last 4 years
combined. The outbreak is not tied to any one location as a large number of
cases include people with multiple exposures at various local recreational
water facilities.
In
response to the outbreak, public health is reaching out and working with pool operators,
schools and day care facilities to share the latest guidance for Crypto
prevention from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
To
reduce the spread of illness when heading to a spray fountain, pool or water
park:
- Do not swim when you have diarrhea and for two weeks
after you recovered.
- Do not pee or poop in the water.
- Take a shower/bathe before going in the water.
- Wash hands with soap and water after using the
bathroom, changing diapers and before eating.
- Change diapers in a bathroom and not by the pool.
- Take kids on frequent bathroom breaks and check diapers
often.
- Avoid swallowing any water and keep it out of your
mouth.
Additionally,
the CDC recommends these safety measures for schools and child care facilities:
- Keep kids with diarrhea out
of a child care setting and school until diarrhea has stopped.
Keep kids with diarrhea or
those diagnosed with Crypto out of water-play and swimming activities for at
least 2 weeks after diarrhea has stopped. - Practice good hygiene,
especially handwashing with soap and water, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. Crypto
is not killed by alcohol gels or hand sanitizers.
- Have kids wash their hands
when they first arrive, after they use the toilet, after having their diapers
changed, and before eating snacks or meals.
- Keep facilities clean by
disinfecting bathrooms, tabletops, desks, diaper-changing areas, toys, food
surfaces and high chairs every day.
Crypto
is a germ that causes diarrhea. Found in the fecal matter of a person who
has been infected by crypto, it is spread by swallowing water that has been
contaminated with fecal matter containing crypto or from human-to-human
contact.
Symptoms
include watery diarrhea with abdominal pain and cramping which can be
accompanied by dehydration, weight loss, fever, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms
can last for two weeks with improvement often followed by recurrence. Infected
persons can continue to spread the disease for several weeks after diarrhea
subsides, so they should avoid activities in recreational waters for at least
two weeks after diarrhea subsides and practice diligent handwashing.
For more information, visit Columbus Public
Health,
Delaware General Health District or Franklin
County Public Health
or on Facebook – Twitter.
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