The Clark County Combined Health District in Springfield, Ohio reported on their Facebook page Thursday:
Clark and Champaign counties are currently experiencing an outbreak of Cryptosporidiosis caused by the Cryptosporidium parasite. The outbreak has been linked to calves in both counties.
The best protection against Cryptosporidiosis is washing your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after handling livestock especially calves.
The Springfield News-Sun reports that 23 confirmed, probable and suspected cases of Cryptosporidiosis in humans that’s been linked to dairy calves purchased as 4-H projects.
Three human cases have been confirmed, nine cases are probable and 11 cases are suspected in both Clark and Champaign counties, Clark County Combined Health District Epidemiologist Anna Jean Petroff said.
The parasite has been linked to a group of dairy feeder calves brought into Clark County to sell for fair projects, said Larry Shaffer, Clark County director of environmental health.
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Common symptoms of crypto include: diarrhea, stomach cramps or pain, dehydration (which is often most serious in the very young and the very old), nausea, vomiting, fever and weight loss. Symptoms usually begin 2 to 10 days after infection and normally last for one to two weeks. Once a person is infected, the parasites live in the intestines and are passed in the stool.
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