In 2014, outbreaks of the protozoan parasitic infection in several counties led to large numbers of cases of cryptosporidiosis in the Sunshine state with 1,877–much larger than previous years (2011 with 436 cases, while comparable numbers were seen in 2012 (470) and 2013 (411)).
The good news is that in the first 11 months of 2015, Florida is seeing less than half of 2015 numbers.
From Jan. through Nov., 827 confirmed and probable cases have been reported to the Department of Health (DOH). This compares to 1,775 confirmed and probable cases during the same period in 2014.
Counties experiencing large numbers of cases due to outbreaks have seen a corresponding decrease– Hillsborough (342 in 2014 vs 97 this year to date) and Pinellas (234 in 2014 vs 46 this year to date).
Nationally, the 2014 numbers for Cryptosporidium are comparable to what has been seen this year to date. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data through Nov. 28, the cumulative total in 2014 was 7,967 while this year to date it is 7,493.
What states are seeing an increase in 2015?
Although no states are seeing such a dramatic change as Florida, several states have seen an increase–Texas (up 225 cases), North Carolina (up 106 cases), Utah (up 90 cases) and Georgia (up 89 cases).
Related: What is Cryptosporidium? How do you prevent getting cryptosporidiosis?
Robert Herriman is a microbiologist and the Editor-in-Chief of Outbreak News Today and the Executive Editor of The Global Dispatch
Follow @bactiman63
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