About Cryptosporidiosis

The Baker County Health Department is warning Baker City residents and visitors to boil their tap water before consuming it. The recommendation comes as health officials investigate an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis affecting residents of Baker City. Cryptosporidiosis is a parasitic disease characterized by diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Until further notice, do not drink tap water in Baker City without boiling it first. Boiling kills the Cryplosporidium parasite. What Residents Should Do Boil tap water for 1 minute and let it cool before using it, or use bottled water. Use boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, and food preparation. Dishes may be disinfected using dishwashing machines that have a dry cycle or a final rinse that exceeds 113'F for 20 minutes or 122'F for 5 minutes or 162'F for 1 minute. Discard any ice you have that was made from local tap water. Water filters that work by reverse osmosis, are marked "NSF 53" or "NSF 58", or are labeled "absolute 1 micron" should be effective against Cryptosporidium. Other filters (e.g., many common in-refrigerator filters, Brita, etc.) are probably not effective. Pets also can be affected by Cryptosporidium, so we recommend boiled or bottled water for them too.

Signs and Symptoms of Cryptosporldiosis Illness is most commonly characterized by watery diarrhea. Some people may experience 10 or more loose stools in a day. Other symptoms may include vomiting, stomach pain, nausea, fever, and weight loss. Some people may become dehydrated. Symptoms usually appear within 1-12 days after exposure. The iltness usualty goes away by itself, but symptoms can persist for several weeks in otherwise healthy people and even longer in persons with compromised immune systems. Symptoms can be intermittent, meaning that people may get better and then relapse. Persons with persistent or severe illness should consult their regular physician for advice. Stop the Outbreak as Soon as Possible Although the outbreak may have started from contaminated water, it can be easily spread from person-to-person. There are several simple steps you can take now to protect yourself, your family, and your community.

Handwashing
Wash your hands! This is the most effective way to stop transmission. Wash your hands after using the toilet, after changing diapers, after handling soiled linen, before preparing food, and before you eat. Remember, not everyone who is infected will get sick, but they still may shed the parasite in their stool. Everybody-sick or not-needs to wash their hands.
Oregon Public Health Division

Augus16,2013

Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available. It's OK to use regular tap water. Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces. Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing "Happy Birthday" twice through to a friend! Rinse hands well. To further reduce your risk, use boiled or bottle water. Dry your hands thoroughly. If possible, use disposable paper towels or air dryer. Cryptosporidium is not killed by alcohol gels and hand sanitizers.

Healthy Swimming Stay away from pools while you have diarrhea and for 2 weeks aftelWards. You can spread germs in the water and make other people sick, even after you get better.

Shower with soap before getting into the pool. Wash your children thoroughiy (especially the rear end) with soap and water before they go swimming. Invisible amounts of fecal matter can end up in the pool. Don't swallow pool water. Avoid getting water in your mouth. Take your kids on bathroom breaks or check diapers often. Waiting to hear "I have to go" may mean that it's too late. Change diapers in a bathroom or a diaper-changing area-not at poolside. Germs can be spread in and around the pool.

Child care Keep kids out of daycare or other shared exposures until their diarrhea stops.
Make sure hand washing and other good hygiene is practiced at your child care location.

Other recommendations

People who work as food handlers, at child care operations, or as health care workers should not go to work until they have been free of symptoms for 24 hours. Follow any special precautions that the health department or your supervisor indicates are necessary. If you have been sick, do not prepare food for other people until you have been free of symptoms for 24 hours. When in doubt, wash your handsl For more information about cryptosporidiosis: http://www.cdc.gov/parasiteslcrypto

Oregon Public Health Division

August 6,2013

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