Cryptosporidiosis
Clinical Manifestations
An acute, parasitic disease most commonly characterized by watery diarrhea and cramps, with occasional weight loss, vomiting, or fever. Transmission is most commonly by the oral-fecal route either from person-to-person or animal-to- person contact. Occasionally, food or water contaminated with human or animal waste, or contaminated objects, such as toys, can serve as vehicles for infection.
Incubation Period
Estimated to be between 2-14 days, average of 7 days.
Period of Communicability
Throughout acute infection, and as long as the organism persists in the stool, which may be as long as 2-5 weeks after symptoms have ceased.
Applicable Laws For Indiana Schools
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Symptomatic persons shall be excluded from employment involving food handling, schools, and day care centers. (410 IAC 1-2.3-61(1)(A)
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Asymptomatic food handlers and day care workers may return to work provided the following: a.) local health officer discusses with the asymptomatic worker his or her symptoms and determines the worker is indeed asymptomatic, and the worker is further counseled about measures, such as hand washing, that shall be followed to prevent transmission of the disease; b.) local health officer contacts the employer to reemphasize the need to comply with local and state rules requiring proper hand washing for all employees, and to correct any observed lapses in hygiene.
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(410 IAC 1-2.3-61(2)(B)(i)(ii)(AA)(BB))
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If an outbreak occurs in a day care center or preschool, all attendees and staff may be required to submit stool specimens for evaluation. Day care centers shall be closed to new admissions until health officials determine the outbreak is over.
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(410 IAC 1-2.3-61(2)(D))
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Symptomatic children shall be excluded from school until asymptomatic and the following has taken place: the local health officer contacts school administration to reemphasize the need to comply with local and state rules requiring proper hand washing facilities, and the need to emphasize good hand washing practices to the students. (410 IAC 1-2.3-61(2)(D))
School Nursing Implications
- Hand washing is critical to control spread of disease.
- Call caregiver of child.
- Consider sending letter to caregivers.
- Watch for additional cases.
Related Sites/Additional Information
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/submenus/sub_crypto.htm
ISDH Cryptosporidiosis Quick Facts
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~mow/intro.html
http://www.nih.gov/health/InformationIndex/HealthIndex/Pubincov.htm
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