Preventing Cryptosporidiosis
Cryptosporidiosis Fact Sheet
(PDF 108 KB)
Cryptosporidiosis occurs most commonly when a
person ingests water contaminated with Cryptosporisium parasites.
Infected people will pass this parasite in
their stool. Thus, infected people can spread the
illness by contaminating food or other objects when they do not wash
their hands thoroughly after using the restroom.
Taking precautions to reduce the risk of infection is
especially important to persons with compromised immune systems.
Avoid swallowing water from lakes, streams,
or rivers. Drinking water that comes from streams, rivers, and
lakes must be filtered properly or boiled in order to remove or kill this
parasite. Chlorine and iodine are
NOT effective in killing Cryptosporidium.
Ensure that persons preparing food wash
their hands carefully and thoroughly before handling food.
This is especially important after using the toilet, caring for persons with diarrhea, or cleaning up after pets.
Avoid consumption of unpasteurized dairy products.
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Prevention Recommendations
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Avoid drinking water from lakes, streams, or rivers.
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Wash hands thoroughly before handling or preparing food.
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Wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom.
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Persons with diarrhea should not prepare food.
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Avoid consumption of unpasteurized dairy products or
apple cider.
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Avoid intimate/sexual practices that increase the
risk of fecal exposure.
Special Note
People who work in food preparation jobs outside the home should not
return to work until their diarrhea has stopped and their health care
provider has determined they are no longer infectious. |
