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Thursday, September 1, 2011

US : Health officials move to stem 'crypto'

Via Cincinnati News, excerpt :

" Public health officials on both sides of the Ohio River responded Wednesday to a recent outbreak of the pesky parasite cryptosporidium (crypto) by urging caution when using swimming pools and cooking food over the Labor Day weekend.

There have been 200 recorded cases of crypto in Southwest Ohio and 52 in Northern Kentucky this year. More than two-thirds of those cases were children, and many occurred since Aug. 1, officials said.

"Last year, we had 12 cases in the city of Cincinnati. This year we've had 75," said Dr. Lawrence Holditch, medical director of the Cincinnati Health Department.

Increased pool use durng the summer heat wave could have contributed to the crypto outbreak, the officials said.

The gastrointestinal illness spreads easily and causes watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, low-grade fever, nausea or vomiting that can come and go for up to two weeks if not treated, Holditch said."

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