June 5, 2009: Montgomery County Issues “Crypto” Public Health Advisory During Month Of May

June 5th, 2009

The Montgomery County (PA) Health Department issued a Public Health Advisory on May 11, 2009, following a small cluster of Cryptosporidium infections (also known as cryptosporidiosis, or “crypto” for short”).

While swimming pool water is one of the most common vehicles for the spread of Cryptosporidium infection, in this situation, the source has not been identified.  None of the victims reported swimming during what would have been the incubation period.

The health advisory cautions physicians to be aware of the outbreak, as the summer swimming season approaches and also reminds the medical community that a diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis must be reported to the appropriate local health department.

Persons with symptoms of cryptosporidiosis are advised to contact their health care provider and to avoid swimming.

Cryptosporidiosis is an infection caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium. It is transmitted by the fecal to oral route. Symptoms may include stomach cramps or pain, watery diarrhea (the most common symptom), fever, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, malaise, malnutrition and weight loss (in more severe cases).

Symptoms may occur 2 to 10 days (on average 7 days) after infection and usually last from 1 to 2 weeks. In some cases, symptoms may come and go, with individuals beginning to feel better only to have symptoms return before the illness finally ends.

To learn more please see About Cryptosporidium and Cryptosporidiosis Symptoms, on the pages of this blog.  Montgomery County Residents may also wish to visit the Montgomery County Health Department website for more information by clicking on MCHD.

This information was posted as a courtesy by the New Brunswick, NJ, Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg.

To learn about recent food and drug recalls please see E coli Recall Lawyer, Peanut Butter Salmonella Lawyer, and Hydroxycut Lawyer.

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