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About Cryptosporidiosis
Cryptosporidiosis is a disease caused by parasites of the genus
Cryptosporidium. Both the disease and the parasite are commonly known as
“crypto.” Crypto is one of the most common causes of waterborne disease. The
parasite may be found in drinking water and recreational water throughout the
United States. Many outbreaks in the United States have occurred in water parks,
community swimming pools, and day care centers. The parasite’s protective outer
shell allows it to survive outside the body and makes it very resistant to
disinfectants.
Symptoms of Cryptosporidiosis
The most common symptom of cryptosporidiosis is watery diarrhea. Other
symptoms may include dehydration, weight loss, stomach cramps or pain, fever,
nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms generally begin 2 to 10 days after becoming
infected with crypto. Symptoms usually last about 1 to 2 weeks. Some people with
crypto will have no symptoms at all.
How It Spreads
Crypto can be spread by a very small amount of feces found in a number of
places, including unwashed hands, contaminated surfaces inside and outside the
home, and contaminated food, drinking water, and recreational water, as well as
sex involving contact with feces.
Local Information
Cryptosporidiosis follows a clear seasonal pattern in Williamson County with
most cases being reported in the summer months and early fall. Recreational
water is the most likely source of infection. In 2005 and 2006, the incidence of
reported cryptosporidiosis in Williamson County was much higher than in Texas
and the United States.
 Cryptosporidiosis
Updates and Historical Data
2008 Crypto Updates for Williamson County
Cryptosporidiosis Trends and
Statistics summarizes cryptosporidiosis historical trends and statistics for
Williamson County. This information is based on surveillance data collected by
both WCCHD and the Austin Travis County Health and Human Services Department for
all of Williamson County, including areas annexed by the City of Austin.
For more information contact the WCCHD Disease Surveillance Team
at (512) 943-3660 or email
Mindy Powell, CDMT Team Lead.
What's Being Done
Public health departments and other government agencies work to limit illness
caused by crypto in many different ways:
- Maintain disease surveillance systems to identify cases and outbreaks
quickly
- Monitor trends for diarrheal illness in the community
- Raise awareness of cryptosporidiosis in the general public
- Inform the public through news releases and media outlets
- Inform the public of the dangers of cryptosporidiosis for people in
poor health or who have a weakened immune system
- Advise against swallowing recreational water (pool, lake/pond, water
park) or getting recreational water in the mouth
- Encourage personal cleanliness and hand washing habits
- Respond aggressively to outbreaks
- Notify health care providers and recommend increased laboratory
testing for crypto
- Communicate level of risk, populations or areas affected, and
recommendations to the public through news releases and media outlets
- Warn people with cryptosporidiosis against swimming in pools and
other recreational water areas for at least 2 weeks after diarrhea stops
- During an outbreak that involves drinking water supply, issue
instructions to the public on how to kill or remove crypto from drinking
water (boiling water notices or water filtration instructions). Instruct homeowners in affected areas to discard ice and beverages
prepared with tap water—e.g. iced tea
- Ensure the safety of municipal water supplies, and effectiveness of
sewage treatment
- Issue recreational water warnings or alerts to the public following
sewage spills, flooding, or heavy rains
- Ensure adequate restroom facilities at all public parks and events (e.g.
outdoor concerts, festivals)
- Enforce local regulations mandating appropriate methods for sewage
disposal, including appropriate maintenance for on-site sewage facilities
- Work closely with state and federal authorities to respond to
environmental accidents or emergencies that threaten public health
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