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Cryptosporidiosis in
Washington State
New requirements for the reporting of
cryptosporidiosis were instituted in December of 2000. In the
first year of reporting, DOH received 73 case reports.
Outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis in Washington have been
associated with small commercial water systems and wells;
other named sources include infected contacts, animals, and
contaminated water and food. To obtain a laboratory test for
this parasite, submit a stool ova and parasite (O & P)
examination with a specific request for Cryptosporidia
as routine O & P exams may not look for this organism.
Purpose of Reporting and
Surveillance
- To identify sources of transmission (e.g., a commercial
product or public water supply) and to prevent further
transmission from such sources.
- When the source is a risk for only a few individuals
(e.g., an animal or private water supply), to inform those
individuals how they can reduce their risk of exposure.
- To identify cases that may be a source of infection for
others (e.g., a food handler) and to prevent further disease
transmission.
Reporting Requirements
- Health care providers: notifiable to Local Health
Jurisdiction within 3 work days
- Hospitals: notifiable to Local Health Jurisdiction
within 3 work days
- Laboratories: notifiable to Local Health Jurisdiction
within 2 work days
- Local health jurisdictions: notifiable to DOH
Communicable Disease Epidemiology within 7 days of case
investigation completion or summary information required
within 21 days
Last
update
Oct. 2002 |
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