Health officials announce outbreak of swimming pool parasites; 12 cases identified – WHIO TV 7 and WHIO Radio

FLORENCE, Ky. — Kentucky health officials have announced an outbreak of Cryptosporidium, a gastrointestinal illness caused by the Cryptosporidium parasite.

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As reported on News Center 7 at 5:30 p.m., The Northern Kentucky Health Department has confirmed about a dozen cases and numerous probable cases are ongoing. Several of those cases were linked to a local public pool.

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The department told our news partners at WCPO that it received multiple calls throughout the day Monday from people reporting symptoms.

Nearly half of the initial cases came from people who visited Silverlake in Erlanger, Kentucky, WCPO reported. The original source of the virus is unknown.

Symptoms of crypto include:

• Watery diarrhea
• Abdominal cramps
• Low fever
• Vomiting
• Nausea

Young children and people who are immunocompromised are at higher risk of developing serious illness, health officials said.

The incubation period for Crypto is two to ten days, with symptoms often appearing after seven days of exposure.

Cryptoinfection is transmitted through animal or human feces and improper hand washing is a common way the parasite spreads.

To learn more about Crypto, you can visit the Northern Kentucky Department of Health website.