KDHE Increases Surveillance for Cryptosporidiosis Cases in Northeast Kansas
Total of 99 Cryptosporidiosis Cases in NE Kansas

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has enhanced surveillance of cryptosporidiosis cases in Northeast Kansas in light of the outbreak in Douglas County. In addition to the 82 cases reported from that county, a total of 17 cases have been reported from Shawnee, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Wyandotte, and Johnson counties. Five of the 17 can be linked to the outbreak in Douglas County. The remaining 12 could have been acquired independently from the Douglas County outbreak or could be related through yet unrecognized links.

KDHE has contacted the Local Health Departments in Shawnee, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Wyandotte and Johnson counties about the possibility of transmission of Cryptosporidium, and is urging health departments to contact all physicians in these counties regarding this.

Once the parasite is established in the community, local transmission could occur through person to person contact, daycare facilities, swimming and wading pools or recreational waters.

There is no reason to believe the public water supplies in any of these counties are impacted.

KDHE strongly recommends the following precautions to prevent further spread of the disease:

Hygiene:

• Wash hands thoroughly, especially after using the bathroom and before preparing food.
• Wash hands after changing diapers, or after caring for someone with diarrhea.

Daycares:

• It is recommended day cares enforce strict adherence to hygiene procedures and exclusion policies for children with diarrhea. Children with diarrhea should not be dropped off at daycares. Employees with diarrhea should be excluded from work.
• Wash hands after every diaper change, even if you are wearing gloves.
• Assist children with handwashing.

Restaurants:

• Employees should carefully wash hands after using the bathroom, before preparing food.
• Employees with diarrhea should be excluded from food preparation activities.

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