Parasite is source of diarrhetic illness in seven Nevadans

At least seven Clark County residents have been diagnosed in recent weeks with a parasitic illness that causes diarrhea, according to the Southern Nevada Health District.

The cases are enough to issue a warning of a possible outbreak of cryptosporidiosis, also known as crypto, health officials said.

The waterborne illness isn't considered deadly and there is no known drug to treat it. However, health care providers can treat symptoms of crypto which also include dehydration, fever, abdominal pain, and weight loss.

Since Aug. 1, outbreaks have been reported in Colorado, Idaho, Iowa and Utah, health officials say.

Cryptosporidiosis, a parasite, is passed in the stool of infected people and animals.

People get the diarrheal illness when they swallow the parasites often found in poorly cooked food and water.

The parasite is also spread person to person when an individual swallows recreational water containing the parasite such as in swimming pools, hot tubs, rivers, lakes, springs and ponds.

Symptoms usually appear one to 12 days after exposure and can last up to three weeks.

Residents are being urged to practice good hygiene such as by washing hands with soap and water after using the toilet and before and after handling or eating food.

For more information about crypto, call the health district at 759-1300.