Cryptosporidiosis from a community swimming pool: outbreak investigation and follow-up study.
Tri-County Health Department investigated an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis linked to a community swimming pool. A cohort study was conducted in 37 persons who were invited to the pool party; 12 (57%) of 21 attendees had primary cryptosporidiosis infection. Risk factors for illness included swimming, getting water in mouth, and swallowing water. The pool met chlorination guidelines and used UV light irradiation, a supplemental disinfection technology that inactivates Cryptosporidium. A follow-up survey of the cohort was completed 7-8 weeks after the pool party; four (25%) of 16 non-attendees had secondary cryptosporidiosis infection. The median duration of illness, including patients with recurring symptoms, was 26 days. Clinical response rate to nitazoxanide, a therapeutic agent, was 67%. This study is unique because it describes a cryptosporidiosis outbreak from a well-maintained community swimming pool using supplemental disinfection. It also reports information on disease burden and treatment response.
Epidemic Intelligence Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. tboehmer@cdc.gov
T K
TK
Boehmer
N B
NB
Alden
T S
TS
Ghosh
R L
RL
Vogt
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003120:Colorado / Q000453:epidemiology; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D013551:Swimming Pools; D055815:Young Adult