Wichita and Sedgwick County continue to experience an outbreak of Cryptosporidium, an illness that causes diarrhea. As of Friday, Oct. 12, 2007 there are 70 confirmed and probable cases in Sedgwick County.

The outbreak was first identified on Aug. 31, at which time public swimming pool owners and the public were notified that pools are a common site of disease transmission. However, the disease can also spread easily in daycare settings, and families continue to spread it to each other in their homes.

Frequent hand washing continues to be the best advice for curbing this highly contagious disease. This is especially important before preparing food and after changing diapers or using the bathroom.

A number of cases have involved children being kept in daycare facilities. Local health officials recommend that children with diarrhea should be excluded from day care facilities until seen by a doctor and tested for cryptosporidium.

If a child is diagnosed with cryptosporidium, local health officials recommend that a note from a physician stating the child is free of infection be required before returning to daycare.

Health officials are also reminding restaurant managers to restrict employees exhibiting symptoms of cryptosporidium from food service, including working with food, cleaning equipment, utensils, and linens; and single service and single-use articles related to food service. Any food service employee with diarrhea should see a doctor and be tested for cryptosporidium. A note from a physician stating the employee is free of infection should be required prior to returning to work.

There are a number of indoor swimming pools and heated pools and spas in the community, and health officials are urging swimmers to take the necessary precautions. The Department of Environmental Services is instructing swimming pool owners and operators to continue posting signs at their facilities alerting patrons not to swim if they have experienced diarrhea within the last two weeks.

Swimmers should avoid swallowing pool water. Diapers should not be changed in the vicinity of any pool, and hand washing, proper hygiene, and sanitary practices should be followed. Do not swim if you have had diarrhea within the last two weeks.

Cryptosporidiosis, or Crypto, is a very contagious disease and is recognized as one of the most common causes of waterborne illness within humans in the United States. It can be spread person-to-person through feces. Once a person is infected with the parasite, the parasite lives in the intestine and passes in the stool.

The most common symptom of Crypto is watery diarrhea. Other symptoms include dehydration, weight loss, stomach cramps or pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Persons experiencing these symptoms should contact their doctor and request a stool sample be tested for cryptosporidium.