Sludge Watch ==> Utah 1, 600 cases cryptosporidium so far this year

[Maureen Reilly]

Sludgewatch Admin:


With this many cryptosporidium victims, they will be depositing that much 
more cryptosporidium into sewage treatment plants.

Treatment plants need to review their effluent and sludge cryptosporidium 
levels to see what secondary infections they may be causing through the 
release or distribution of poorly treated sludge and effluent.

.........................

IDAHO: Cryptosporidium outbreak hits hundreds across the West
21.sep.07
The Columbian
Rebecca Boone
http://www.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/AP09212007news201344.cfm/
BOISE, Idaho-- Health officials were cited as saying that nearly 230 Idaho 
residents have been sickened by cryptosporidium this year, along with 
hundreds of others across the Rocky Mountain West.
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare spokesman Tom Shanahan was cited as 
saying the outbreak has reached record numbers, and has federal officials 
looking at the role water parks and public pools play in spreading the 
diarrhea-causing parasite.

Since 1995, Idaho has averaged about 23 cryptosporidium cases a year, said 
Dr. Randall Nett, an epidemic intelligence officer with Idaho's Health and 
Welfare Department. But this year, 229 cases have been reported, the vast 
majority in the Boise and Meridian areas.

Nearby Utah has been even harder hit, with more than 1,600 illnesses 
attributed to cryptosporidium so far this year, Utah Department of Health 
epidemiologist Diane Raccasi said. Colorado and other Western states have 
also reported increases, Nett said.
"It's a record year by a long way," said Nett. "There's probably
going to have to be some research done to determine if it was weather, 
rainfall, runoff or other things contributing to the outbreak."