Crypto Outbreak Now Over 400 — Reportedly Will Get Worse, Before it Gets Better

We’ve been writing about the Crypto Outbreak all of August — from the initial discovery to when there were over 200 cases reported.

Well as of now, the official number hit well over 400 and will continue to rise. Columbus has the majority of cases with 249 reported within the city, 130 throughout Franklin County and 44 in Delaware County.

Public health officials are reaching out and working with pool operators, schools and day care facilities by providing them with information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on preventing the spread of the bacteria.

This is a 15 year high for the disease, and health officials have not seen a plateau in those getting sick, due to the extended period of illness (nearly two weeks.)

The disease can be serious for people with compromised immune systems. It typically isn’t life-threatening in healthy people, but it’s important to stay home and hydrated if you’re experiencing frequent diarrhea, officials say.

Columbus Health is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to contain the outbreak of Crypto. They’ve released these guidelines if you’re on your way to the fountain, pool or waterpark.

Do not swim when you have diarrhea and for two weeks after you recovered.
Do not pee or poop in the water.
Take a shower/bathe before going in the water.
Wash hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, changing diapers and before eating.
Change diapers in a bathroom and not by the pool.
Take kids on frequent bathroom breaks and check diapers often.
Avoid swallowing any water and keep it out of your mouth.

Additionally, the CDC recommends these safety measures for schools and child care facilities:

Keep kids with diarrhea out of a child care setting and school until diarrhea has stopped.
Keep kids with diarrhea or those diagnosed with Crypto out of water-play and swimming activities for at least 2 weeks after diarrhea has stopped.
Practice good hygiene, especially handwashing with soap and water, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. Crypto is not killed by alcohol gels or hand sanitizers.
Have kids wash their hands when they first arrive, after they use the toilet, after having their diapers changed, and before eating snacks or meals.
Keep facilities clean by disinfecting bathrooms, tabletops, desks, diaper-changing areas, toys, food surfaces and high chairs every day.

Crypto is a particularly nasty little guy that’s spread via fecal matter, and particularly swallowing water contaminated with fecal matter containing crypto. You can also spread it via human-to-human contact. Symptoms include cramping, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. These can be accompanied by weight loss, fever, nausea and vomiting. It’s not pretty and a rough way to end the summer.

If you’re infected you’re contagious for several weeks even after the symptoms subside, so avoiding water parks after this period is key to limiting the spread of infection.

For more information, click here.

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