Cryptosporidiosis
Cryptosporidiosis is a zoonotic disease which means that it can be transmitted between humans and animals. It is caused by a single-celled parasite called Cryptosporidium parvum. The parasite may be shed in high numbers in the manure of calves less than 6 months of age. Cryptosporidia may survive in the environment for months.
Cryptosporidiosis in Animals
The disease in cattle (and in other animal species) is characterized by diarrhea in calves less than two months of age, but shedding may occur without any signs of disease. Sanitation is the mainstay for control of this disease in calves. Proper manure handling and sanitation of calf housing and feeding equipment reduces the risk of disease in calves and decreases the number of organisms in the environment.
Cryptosporidiosis in People
Humans are infected by ingesting the microscopic parasite after contact with animals, their manure or items contaminated by manure. The disease in humans is characterized by watery diarrhea lasting 3-14 days. Abdominal pain, nausea and malaise are frequent. Some patients have a slight fever. Good personal hygiene is crucial to prevention of this disease in humans.
Safe Work Practices
1. Use Good Personal Hygiene
- Wash your hands after animal contact and before you leave the laboratory or animal facility. Wash your hands after using the restroom.
- Do not eat, drink, use tobacco products, take or apply medicine, store human food, handle contact lenses or apply cosmetics in animal facilities and laboratories. Wash your hands before engaging in these activities. Mouth pipetting is prohibited.
- Do not drink unpasteurized (raw) milk.
2. Wear Personal Protective Equipment
- Wear protective clothing in the animal facility and laboratory. In addition to lab coats or coveralls, some facilities may require additional protective clothing such as shoe coverings or gloves.
- Do not wear soiled protective clothing outside of the laboratory or animal facility. Do not launder soiled protective clothing at home. All soiled nondisposable clothing must be Institutionally laundered.
- Wear gloves when handling infected animals or contaminated surfaces or equipment. Avoid direct contact with manure. Wear gloves or use an implement when handling animal feces.
3. Animal Care
- Isolate sick animals from rest of the colony or herd.
- Handle and care for sick or infected animals last.
4. Cleaning and Disinfection
- Disinfect laboratory work surfaces daily and after any spills with an approved disinfectant.
- Disinfect animal areas and equipment with a disinfectant approved by the facility supervisor.
- Maintain clean and dry animal areas. Use additional bedding or more frequent bedding changes. Follow husbandry practices that minimize exposure of animals and humans to this agent.
5. Avoid Exposure to Sharps
- Follow Sharps Precautions when handling sharps (surgical needles, hypodermic needles, hypodermic syringes, scalpel blades, Pasteur pipettes, glassware).
6. Waste Management
- Dispose of laboratory waste, contaminated bedding, animals, their products and items contaminated by their products as approved of by the supervisor.
- Dispose of sharps in a Biohazard Sharp Container.
7. Follow Safety Precautions
- Follow these and posted Safe Work Practices.
- Follow requirements for entry into and exit from posted areas.
8. Participate in the Occupational Health and Safety Program.
- Provide an annual medical health history to the Health Center.
- Report accidents, illnesses and zoonotic diseases on the Accident Report Form.
9. Notify the Supervisor
- Notify your supervisor if an animal has diarrhea or if you have diarrhea that persists for more than 2 days.
10. Seek Medical Attention
- Visit the Gannett Health Center Occupational Health Professionals (607)255-5156 for evaluation and possible treatment if you are sick or have persistent diarrhea. Let them know you are an animal worker exposed to the hazard Cryptosporidium parvum.
Safe work practices reduce the risk of hazards to you, your coworkers and the animals you care for.
If you have any questions, contact Dr. J.M. Peralta at (607) 253-3351 or jmp13@cornell.edu