The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH), City of Albuquerque Environmental Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating 2 confirmed and 10 probable cases of cryptosporidiosis associated with the West Mesa Pool complex in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Confirmed and probable cases all swam at the pool complex since mid-July 2008. The first confirmed case became symptomatic on July 17th, 2008, and continued to swim at the pool until seeking medical care and testing on August 1st, 2008.  

A statewide swim meet involving approximately 370 athletes from towns across New Mexico occurred at the pool from July 25th through the 27th, 2008. Several of the teams who participated in the statewide swim meet at the West Mesa pool also practice and compete at other City of Albuquerque pools. A City of Albuquerque championship meet involving approximately 270 athletes occurred on August 2nd, 2008 at the West Mesa pool. Several probable cases have reported onset of illness since August 2nd.

One apparently isolated case in a 2 year-old Albuquerque childcare center attendee has also been identified recently. According to experts at CDC, increased cases associated with swimming pools frequently leads to increased incidence of cases among childcare attendees.

NMDOH IS URGING A HEIGHTENED INDEX OF SUSPICION FOR CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS WHEN EVALUATING ANYONE PRESENTING WITH GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOMS AND A HISTORY OF SWIMMING IN A CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE POOL OR ATTENDING DAYCARE IN ALBUQUERQUE SINCE MID-JULY 2008.

Cryptosporidiosis is caused by Cryptosporidium parvum, a protozoan that can cause diarrheal illness in humans. It is spread by multiple routes including fecal-oral, person-to-person, animal-to-person, waterborne and foodborne transmission. The protozoa have been found in a variety of hosts such as mammals, birds, and reptiles. Outbreaks have been associated with contamination of swimming pools. Signs and symptoms frequently include diarrhea and abdominal cramping. Diarrhea can be profuse and watery. Less often patients will present with anorexia, nausea, vomiting and fever.

Symptoms often wax and wane but remit in less than 30 days in immunologically competent healthy people. In immunodeficient persons, especially those with HIV, who may be unable to clear the parasite, the disease has a prolonged and fulminant clinical course that can result in death.

The incubation period from exposure to onset of symptoms ranges from 1-12 days with an average of about 7 days.