By DOUG GRAVES

Ohio Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The Clark County Health Department in central Ohio has confirmed an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis, a parasitic illness that causes severe stomach problems in people.

Clark County Director of Environmental Health Larry Shaffer said the cause of the outbreak has been traced to dairy calves. All of the calves in Clark County have died, he said, while some in Champaign County are sick but are still alive. Though it remains unclear, it is estimated that between 7-22 calves have died.

“Our communicable disease nurse and our epidemiologist have been working and they’ve identified a probable source as baby calves, more specifically called dairy feeders, and they were brought here to Clark County to be sold to children for 4-H projects," he explained.

According to Shaffer, there are three confirmed cases, nine probable cases and 11 suspected cases in both Clark and Champaign counties. Both children and adults are infected. The disease is unlikely to cause any human fatalities.

The parasite is found in soil, food, water or any surfaces that have been contaminated with feces from infected animals or humans. “The primary symptom of cryptosporidiosis is watery diarrhea, maybe also fever, and abdominal cramping and pain,” Shaffer noted.

Symptoms will appear 2-10 days after exposure to the parasite and can last up to two weeks. It also can be easily misdiagnosed as the flu, Shaffer said. People with illness must let doctors know they’ve been around livestock recently to help them make a diagnosis.

“People must wash their hands thoroughly and remove clothes and shoes once returning home after being around livestock,” said Clark County epidemiologist Anna Jean Petroff. “If you don’t wash your hands properly after going to the bathroom or after changing a child’s diaper, and then you go prepare food, it’s really easy to transmit it to other people.”

The illness is common, Shaffer said, and is typically associated with public water venues, such as pools or water parks.

Petroff says hydrogen peroxide is the only known disinfectant for killing the cryptosporidiosis parasite. Bleach, she explained, will not work to kill the organism.

“Cryptosporidium is resistant to most chlorine and other disinfectants,” she said, “so we recommend washing with a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution. To prevent the spread of this parasite, disinfect surfaces and objects by soaking them with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution for at least 20 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with warm water.”

The Clark County district, Champaign Health District and Ohio State University extension are working together on the investigation. The majority of the cases are in Clark County. The people affected, Shaffer added, are located in the northwestern portion of the county.

In 2016, Ohio health officials identified 1,940 people sick with cryptosporidiosis, also known as crypto, which represented a 386 percent increase from the median number of cases (399) reported from 2012-15, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For more information, or if you suspect you or a family member have come into contact with cryptosporidium, contact your local health district (in Clark County, 937-390-5600; in Champaign County, 937-484-1605).