The Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services (DCHHS) is now receiving increasing reports of persons with Cryptosporidium infections in Dallas County. Clusters of infections possibly associated with area recreational water facilities are being investigated.
Cryptosporidosis can be contracted by swallowing contaminated water or food, and typically causes watery diarrhea and abdominal cramping. Symptoms often self-resolve after 1-2 weeks. Immunocompromised individuals are particularly at high risk for severe persisting illness from infection, and may not respond to treatment with nitazoxanide.
Given the markedly increased rate of Cryptosporidium infections noted in Dallas County recently, DCHHS is recommending that immune-suppressed persons refrain from swimming in public pools or recreational water parks at this time.
When cryptosporidiosis is suspected, stool samples should be sent specifically for Cryptosporidium antigen testing and/or stains for Cryptosporidium. For improved yield of testing, up to 3 separate stool specimens may need to be submitted. Since the oocytes of the parasite may be shed in stool even after resolution of illness, please remind all patients to not swim for at least 2 weeks after diarrhea resolves.
Crypto - 121 confirmed cases since 6/28/2008.
Additional information is available at http://www.cdc.gov/crypto/factsheets/infect.html.
Please report cases of confirmed and suspected cryptosporidiosis to DCHHS at (214) 819-2004.