Public alert for Cryptosporidium outbreak

Individuals who have visited the petting farm on or after April 9 may have been exposed to cryptosporidium. Public Health is working closely with the facility to reduce the risk to the public, and the farm voluntarily closed from April 26 to 28 inclusive. A Public Health Inspector has visited the site, the site is conducting remediation activities, and the affected areas and animals are not accessible to the public.

Cryptosporidiosis is a disease caused by the cryptosporidium parvum parasite, also referred to as “crypto.” Crypto lives in the intestine of infected animals and humans. It spreads when someone comes into contact with infected feces and then touches their mouth, usually with unwashed hands.

Some people with cryptosporidiosis do not have symptoms, but most people will have watery diarrhea. Other symptoms can include fever, nausea, vomiting, belly pain, and weight loss. Symptoms usually begin two to 10 days after becoming infected and can last one to two weeks.

Most people with healthy immune systems will recover without treatment. Dehydration, caused by diarrhea, is the most common complication.

For more information please see the MyHealthAlberta website.

• If you have symptoms, consider calling 811 or seeing your primary care provider for medical assessment. Immunocompromised individuals should consider early medical assessment.
• Hydration is important for people with symptoms of GI illness. You can find further information on caring for people with these symptoms on MyHealthAlberta.
• To prevent spread of the infection, we recommend the following:
  • Frequently wash your hands with warm, soapy water, including after you go to the washroom, before you prepare food, after you touch raw meat, after changing diapers, and before you eat.
  • Thoroughly wash all kitchen tools and surfaces before and after meal preparation.
  • Do not share food, drink, or eating utensils with someone experiencing symptoms.
  • Patients with symptoms should be advised to practice good hand hygiene, use a separate washroom where possible, avoid preparing food for others, and remain home from daycare or school until 48 hours after symptoms have resolved.
  • If you have diarrhea, please do not enter any swimming pool, water spray park, or other aquatic facility for at least two weeks after symptoms resolve.
• To avoid infections from animals at a petting zoo:
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching an animal or the environment around an animal
  • Avoid touching animal feces or urine
  • Avoid touching an animal, then touching your face, food, or other things you’ll touch later such as a phone or wallet
  • Don’t let an animal lick your mouth or face.
  • Avoid touching dirt or sand where feces are likely to have been.
  • With young children, discourage pacifier use and thumb-sucking

If you have questions, please call Health Link at 811.