Ogle County Health Department Issues Warning On Crypto Disease

The Ogle County Health Department is investigating an increase of Crypto (Cryptosporidiosis disease) cases in the area and wants to alert all school nurses to be aware of the disease that can cause watery diarrhea. Cryptosporidiosis is a disease that causes watery diarrhea. The condition is caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium aka Crypto.

Wash your hands

Wash hands after using the bathroom and changing diapers, and before handling or eating any food.

Make sure that persons with diarrhea, especially children, wash their hands carefully and frequently with soap to reduce the risk of spreading the infection.

Wash raw fruits and vegetables before eating.

Always wash hands after contact with farm animals, pets, animal feces, and animal environments.

Avoid swallowing recreational water

Do not swallow water while swimming in swimming pools, hot tubs, interactive fountains, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds, streams, or the ocean.

Note: Cryptosporidium is chlorine resistant and can live in swimming pools, even those that are properly treated, for days.

Protect others by not swimming if you are experiencing diarrhea. If diagnosed with cryptosporidiosis, do not swim for at least 2 weeks after diarrhea stops.

Healthy Swimming (CDC site; Contains information on recreational waterborne illnesses)

Avoid drinking untreated water

Do not drink untreated water from shallow wells, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds, or streams.

If you are unable to avoid drinking water that might be contaminated, then drink bottled water or treat the water yourself by:

Heating the water to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute. 
OR

Using a filter that has been tested and rated by National Safety Foundation (NSF) Standard 53 or NSF Standard 58 for cyst and oocyst reduction; filtered water will need additional treatment to kill or inactivate bacteria and viruses.

Do not rely on chemical disinfection of Cryptosporidium because it is highly resistant to inactivation by chlorine or iodine.

Preventing Cryptosporidiosis: A Guide to Water Filters and Bottled Water

Keep symptomatic students home from school and it is recommend to go to the doctor to be tested if they have the following symptoms:

* Watery diarrhea

* Dehydration

* Lack of appetite

* Weight loss

* Stomach cramps or pain

* Fever

* Nausea

* Vomiting

If students are diagnosed with crypto, keep them out of school until they are clear to return to school from the doctor.