Health officials announce pool parasite outbreak; 12 cases identified

Health officials in Kentucky have announced an outbreak of Cryptosporidium, a gastrointestinal illness caused by the Cryptosporidium parasite.

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As reported on News Center 7 at 5:30, The Northern Kentucky Health Department confirmed approximately a dozen cases and numerous probable cases are out there. Several of the cases were associated with a local public pool facility.

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The department told our news partners at WCPO that they received multiple calls throughout Monday from people reporting symptoms.

About half of the original cases stemmed from people who visited Silverlake in Erlanger, Kentucky, WCPO reported. The original source of the virus is unknown.

Symptoms of Crypto include:

• Watery diarrhea
• Abdominal cramps
• Low fever
• Vomiting
• Nausea

Young children and people immunologically suppressed are at a greater risk for severe illness, health officials said.

The incubation period for Crypto is from two to 10 days, often presenting symptoms after seven days of exposure.

Crypto is spread through animal or human feces and inadequate handwashing is a common way to spread the parasite.

To find our more about Crypto, you can visit the Northern Kentucky Health Department’s website.