Three Ohio counties have tallied 792 cases of cryptosporidiosis, a diarrheal disease caused by parasites, since July, according to The Columbus Dispatch.
Public health officials are hopeful the outbreak is tapering off, even though the case counts increased by roughly one-third in the last two weeks. "It's starting to slow down, and it's our hope it will plateau soon," Jose Rodriguez, Columbus Public Health spokesperson, told the Dispatch.
Cryptosporidiosis, commonly known as Crypto, is caused by Cryptosporidium parasites that live in the intestines of humans and animals. The parasite is passed through stool and can survive outside of the body for a long time, according to the CDC, thanks to its outer shell. It is even resistant to chlorine-based disinfectants, meaning Crypto is often spread in contaminated water in pools and water parks. The parasites can also spread through human contact.
Symptoms like diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, fever and weight loss show up two to 10 days after infection and can last about one to two weeks. However, an infected person can spread the parasite for two weeks after symptoms subside, which makes outbreaks hard to control, according to the Dispatch.
Public health officials are encouraging people to wash their hands with soap and water, as hand sanitizer does not kill Crypto, and to avoid pools or water parks when ill.
The 792 cases reported this year make this the largest Crypto outbreak in central Ohio in 15 years, the Dispatch reported.