Assessing the Public Health Threat Associated with Waterborne Cryptosporidiosis: Report of a Workshop

Reported by CDC and EPA.

On September 22-23, 1994, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID) convened a workshop entitled, Prevention and Control of Waterborne Cryptosporidiosis: An Emerging Public Health Threat," for the purpose of assisting CDC and state public health departments in providing guidance on these issues. Representatives from 40 states and from regulator and public health agencies, water utility companies, and advocacy groups discussed approaches to avoiding unnecessary boil-water advisories (i.e., statements to the public advising persons to boil water before drinking it) and preventing and controlling waterborne cryptosporidiosis. Work groups at the meeting addressed four issues: 1) surveillance systems and epidemiologic study designs; 2) public health responses when oocysts are detected in drinking water; 3) cryptosporidiosis in immunocompromised persons; and 4) water sampling methods and interpretation of results. The work groups defined the problems associated with these issues and developed strategies that could be used initially to manage these problems. The work group conclusions are for considerations by persons and organizations who must assist with these issues and by those who seek to advance understanding of waterborne cryptosporidiosis.

Background

Cryptosporidium parvum has been recognized as a human pathogen since 1976. During 1976-1982, the disease was resorted rarely and occurred predominantly in immunocompromised persons. In 1976-1982 the number of reported cases began to increase as a result of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic. Initially, the increase in incidence was limited to immunocompromised persons; however, outbreaks and sporadic infections in immunocompetent persons were identified with the aid of newly developed laboratory diagnostic techniques.

Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite transmitted by ingestion of oocysts that have been excreted in the feces of infected humans and animals. The infection can be transmitted through person-to-person or animal-to-person contact, ingestion of fecally contaminated water or food, or contact with fecally contaminated …

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Publication information: Article title: Assessing the Public Health Threat Associated with Waterborne Cryptosporidiosis: Report of a Workshop. Contributors: Not available. Journal title: Journal of Environmental Health. Volume: 58. Issue: 2 Publication date: September 1995. Page number: 31+. © 1999 National Environmental Health Association. COPYRIGHT 1995 Gale Group.

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