Iowa cryptosporidium outbreak tops 500 since June

In a follow up to a story earlier this month, the cryptosporidium outbreak in Iowa continues to climb with 528  probable and confirmed cases reported since June 1.

This is up from the last update on Aug. 14, which revealed 399 probable and confirmed cases since June.

Polk County tops the 59 counties reporting cases of the parasite with 216.

The Iowa Department of Public Health is reporting year to date in 2013, 615 cases (confirmed and probable) of Cryptosporidiosis have been reported in Iowa.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that causes the diarrheal disease cryptosporidiosis. Both the parasite and the disease are commonly known as “Crypto.”

There are many species of Cryptosporidium that infect humans and animals. The parasite is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it very tolerant to chlorine disinfection.

While this parasite can be spread in several different ways, water (drinking water and recreational water) is the most common method of transmission. Cryptosporidium is one of the most frequent causes of waterborne disease among humans in the United States.

Cryptosporidium Life Cycle/CDC

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