Outbreak At Watersedge : A Parasitic Disease Essay
1122 Words5 Pages
Outbreak at Watersedge
Cryptosporidiosis
Cryptosporidiosis is a parasitic disease caused by coccidial species of the genus Cryptosporidium. The parasite is covered by an outer shell that allows it to live outside the body for extensive periods of time and makes it resistant to chlorine-based sanitizers (Rossle & Latif, 2013). Cryptosporidiosis has been identified as one of the most usual causes of waterborne disease in humans worldwide. Cryptosporidium lives in the intestine of infected humans or animals and is passed in the stool of an infected person or animal (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). Millions of Cryptosporidium parasites are discharged in a bowel movement from an infected human or animal. Infection usually happens by ingesting the parasite accidentally. Cryptosporidium may be found in soil, food, water, or surfaces that have been infected with the feces from humans or animals carrying the disease (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012).
Cryptosporidium can be difficult to diagnose and usually is missed unless specific tests are performed. Most often, diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis is made by microscopic examination of stool samples and enzyme immunoassay for fecal antigen. Identification of the parasite is often problematic because of the miniscule size and obscure internal structure of the parasite (Rossle & Latif, 2013). Optimal management of cryptosporidiosis comprises fluids and electrolytes management, antispasmodic agents,