Cryptosporidium parvum was once an obscure intestinal parasite, but is now recognized as the most common cause of diarrhea disease and is probably one of the most common enteric pathogens in humans and domesticated animals worldwide. Unlike Cryptosporidium, Giardia, which is about 5-6 microns in diameter, can be killed by being exposed to long contact with chlorine disinfection.
Few people had heard of Cryptosporidium, or the disease it causes, cryptosporidiosis, until tragedy struck Milwaukee, Wisconsin (USA) in 1993 when 100 people died and 400,000 others became ill after ingesting a micro organism named Cryptosporidium parvum. The source of this parasite: drinking water.
Cryptosporidium is found in infected people, cattle, goats, cats, dogs and other animals stool and cannot be seen by the naked eye. This parasite (4 to 6 microns in diameter) is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive for up to 18 months in a cool, damp or wet environment, including reservoirs and pipes and makes it highly resistant to chlorine disinfection found in municipal water supplies. The Cryptosporidium oocyst excystates in the intestines of its animal and human host and is shed into the environment in fecal waste. Cattle grazing activities on the surface accounted for much of the fecal coli forms. It survives in large enough numbers in soil that could be transported by rain events to surface waters and, thus, threaten public health.
Why should I be concerned about Cryptosporidium?
“Cryptosporidium appear to survive current municipal treatment protocols, and no effective water treatments have been proposed. Neither does the disease in people respond well to any treatments.” Read more on the following website:
http://www.ovc.uoguelph.ca/popmed/ecosys/parab6global.htm - Ontario Veterinary College - Canada
Symptoms of Cryptosporidium Cryptosporidiosis, the infection caused by ingestion of the Cryptosporidium parasite, causes painful abdominal cramping and profuse, watery diarrhea and usually last about 1 to 2 weeks. In addition to diarrhea,
symptoms of infection are fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. The symptoms may go in cycles in which you may seem to get better for a few days, then feel worse again before the illness ends.
People who are most likely to become infected with Cryptosporidium include:
Contaminated water includes water that has not been boiled or filtered. Several community-wide outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis have been linked to drinking municipal water or recreational water contaminated with Cryptosporidium.
There is currently no cure for cryptosporidiosis, though drug research is continuing. Patients who suspect they may have cryptosporidiosis should drink extra fluids and may wish to drink oral rehydration therapy liquid, to avoid dehydration.
