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Number Of Local Cryptosporidiosis Cases Continues To Rise

cdc.gov

Local health officials say there are now 250 cases of cryptosporidiosis in Columbus and Franklin and Delaware Counties, up from 202 late last week. Jim Letizia reports.

The number of cases of the diarrheal disease exceeds the combined regional total for the last five years. Officials have closed pools and alerted physicians and school and daycare employees about prevention techniques to try and stop the spread of the parasite. But officials project more cases over the next few weeks, in part because it takes at least 12 days for symptoms to show up. Symptoms include watery diarrhea; abdominal pain and cramping; dehydration; weight loss; fever; nausea and vomiting. Infected persons can spread the disease for several weeks afterward, so they should avoid recreational water activities for at least two weeks. To avoid getting sick, health officials say people should practice frequent hand-washing, especially before and after swimming. They should avoid swallowing the water while swimming. Parents should take toddlers and young children on frequent bathroom breaks, should not change a child's diaper near a public water facility, and make sure children who aren't toilet-trained use a swim diaper.
 

Jim has been with WCBE since 1996. Before that he worked as a reporter at another Columbus radio station, and for three newspapers in Southwest Florida.
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