Parasite of Intrest
Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that causes the diarrheal disease cryptosporidiosis. Both the parasite and the disease are commonly known as "Crypto." Since the first reports of human cases in 1976, Cryptosporidium has been found worldwide. Outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis have been reported in several countries, the most remarkable being a waterborne outbreak in Milwaukee (Wisconsin) in 1993, that affected more than 400,000 people. Many species of Cryptosporidium exist that infect humans and a wide range of animals. Although Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis (formerly known as C. parvum anthroponotic genotype or genotype 1) are the most prevalent species causing disease in humans, infections by C. felis, C. meleagridis, C. canis, and C. muris have also been reported. The parasite is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it very tolerant to chlorine disinfection. While this parasite can be spread in several different ways, water (drinking water and recreational water) is the most common method of transmission. Cryptosporidium is one of the most frequent causes of waterborne disease among humans in the United States.
Cryptosporidium is spread by:
1.)Swallowing recreational water contaminated with Crypto. Swallowing even a small amount of pool water that has been contaminated with the Crypto can make you sick. Recreational water is water from swimming pools, hot tubs, fountains, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds, or streams that can be contaminated with sewage or feces from humans or animals.
2.)Putting something in your mouth or eating food that has been exposed to the stool of a person or animal infected with Crypto.
3.)Swallowing Crypto picked up from surfaces (such as lounge chairs, picnic tables, bathroom fixtures, changing tables) contaminated with stool from an infected person.
Rapid loss of fluids because of diarrhea can be managed by fluid and electrolyte replacement. Infection in healthy, immunocompetent persons is self-limited. Nitazoxanide has been approved for treatment of diarrhea caused by Cryptosporidium in immunocompetent patients. Immunocompromised persons and those in poor health are at highest risk for severe illness.
Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts are rounded and measure 4.2 to 5.4 µm in diameter. Sporozoites are sometimes visible inside the oocysts, indicating that sporulation has occurred.
Infectious Disease of Intrest
Highly pathogenic avian influenza is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) A viruses. Avian influenza virus is found chiefly in birds, but infections with these viruses can occur in humans. The risk from avian influenza is generally low to most people, because the viruses do not usually infect humans. However, confirmed cases of human infection from several subtypes of avian influenza infection have been reported since 1997. Of the human cases associated with the ongoing outbreaks in poultry and wild birds in Asia and parts of Europe, the Near East and Africa, about 60% of those people reported infected with the virus have died. Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry (e.g., domesticated chicken, ducks, and turkeys) or surfaces contaminated with secretion/excretions from infected birds. The spread of avian influenza viruses from one ill person to another person has been reported very rarely, and has been limited and inefficient(CDC, 2011).
In general, avian flu remains a very rare disease in people. The virus does not infect humans easily, and if a person is infected, it is very difficult for the virus to spread to another person. Nonetheless, because all influenza viruses have the ability to change and because the bird flu has a known ability to cause human infection, scientists remain concerned that this virus has the potential to possibly change into a form that can spread easily from person to person. Because this virus does not commonly infect humans, there is little or no immune protection against them in the human population. If avian flu were to gain the capacity to spread easily from person to person, an influenza pandemic (worldwide outbreak of disease) could begin. Experts from around the world continue to monitor for potential changes in the virus and changes in patterns of human infection and work with the many stakeholders to prepare for the possibility that the virus may begin to spread more easily and widely from person to person (CDC, 2011). For more information about influenza pandemics, visit http://www.flu.gov/.
Disease Outbreak Map (WHO, 2011)
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, Jan 01, 2005 to Jan 01, 2011
