Personal Injury and Wrongful Death

Cryptosporidium

Chryptosporidium Outbreak Investigation:
An outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in Minnesota has been linked to swimming at the water park at Edgewater Resort & Waterpark in Duluth, MN. According to epidemiologists with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), almost 100 people have reported being infected with Cryptosporidium parvum, a parasite that causes cryptosporidiosis, also known as "Crypto."

Laboratory tests found that the Cryptosporidium parasites and Campylobacter bacteria in most of the ill people were genetically identical to organisms found in animal and environmental samples taken at the Edgewater.

What is Cryptosporidium?

Cryptosporidium is a parasite that causes crypotsporidiosis, an infection known as "Crypto," that causes severe diarrhea.
Many species of Cryptosporidium exist that infect humans and a wide range of animals. Although Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis are the most prevalent species causing disease in humans, infections by C. felis, C. meleagridis, C. canis, and C. muris have also been reported.

During the infective stage of the organism, the oocyst is 3 um in diameter or about half the size of a red blood cell. The infectious dose is less than 10 organisms and, presumably, one organism can initiate an infection. The mechanism of disease is not known; however, the intracellular stages of the parasite can cause severe tissue alteration.

Cryptosporidium sp. could occur, theoretically, on any food touched by a contaminated food handler. Incidence is higher in child day care centers that serve food. Fertilizing salad vegetables with manure is another possible source of human infection. Large outbreaks are associated with contaminated water supplies.

To date, there is no known effective drug for the treatment of cryptosporidiosis. Immunodeficient individuals, especially AIDS patients, may have the disease for life, with the severe watery diarrhea contributing to death. Invasion of the pulmonary system may also be fatal.

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Attorney Fred PritzkerAttorney Fred Pritzker is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum; a Certified Civil Advocate (National Board of Trial Advocacy); and a Certified Trial Specialist (Minnesota State Bar Association). He has also been selected by other lawyers for inclusion in the current edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

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