Another illness is increasing across Iowa. There have been 358 cases of cryptosporidiosis or ‘Crypto’ reported in the state this year, 272 of which have occurred since June 1st, with another 138 cases under investigation. One case has been reported in Washington County. Last year 328 cases were reported for the entire year.

Crypto is a disease caused by a parasite that results in watery diarrhea and sometimes includes nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and low grade fever, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. Both animals and people can have the disease and is contracted by coming in contact with someone shedding the parasite or by drinking contaminated water.

Many of the people who have become ill with Crypto reported swimming in pools, and some in lakes or rivers. The IDPH reminds people to protect others by not swimming if you are experiencing diarrhea and if diagnosed with crypto do not swim for at least two weeks. To keep swimming safe follow the tips below:
– Do not swallow water in your mouth.
– Thoroughly wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers.
– Shower yourself and your child before swimming.
– Change diapers in a bathroom, not at the poolside.
– Take your kids on bathroom breaks and check swim diapers often.

It is also important to:
– Wash hands before preparing or eating food; after using the toilet; after changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet; and before and after caring for someone who is ill with diarrhea.
– To reduce the risk of disease transmission, children with diarrhea should be excluded from child care settings until the diarrhea has stopped.

Crypto cases by County (reported 6/1/13 through 8/7/13):
Adair (3)
Benton (5)
Black Hawk (3)
Boone (4)
Bremer (1)
Buchanan (2)
Cerro Gordo (1)
Clarke (1)
Clayton (1)
Dallas (6)
Decatur (1)
Delaware (14)
Des Moines (2)
Dubuque (11)
Floyd (1)
Guthrie (1)
Hancock (1)
Howard (1)
Humboldt (14)
Jackson (3)
Jasper (3)
Johnson (3)
Jones (2)
Lee (1)
Linn (16)
Madison (2)
Marion (1)
Marshall (1)
Mitchell (1)
Monona (1)
Monroe (1)
Palo Alto (1)
Polk (106)
Pottawattamie (2)
Sac (2)
Scott (2)
Sioux (4)
Story (5)
Van Buren (5)
Wapello (2)
Warren (12)
Washington (1)
Wayne (1)
Webster (17)
Woodbury (3)
Worth (1)

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