Recurrent outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis associated with calves among students at an educational farm programme, Minnesota, 2003

Abstract

Enteric illness outbreaks among middle-/high-school students in consecutive semesters of an educational farm programme were investigated with retrospective cohort studies. During the first outbreak, 31/92 (34%) interviewed students were ill. Risk factors included participating in animal science class (RR 8.1, 95% CI 1.2-55.2) and contact with calves (RR 4.2, 95% CI 1.1-16.2). Stool samples from seven students and two calves yielded Cryptosporidium parvum. Students cared for animals in street clothes and practised poor hand washing. During the second outbreak, 37/81 (46%) interviewed animal science students were ill. Risk factors included having visible manure on hands, and wearing coveralls and boots. Stool samples from seven students and eight calves yielded C. parvum. Student hand washing was still inadequate. Coveralls/boots were cleaned infrequently and removed after hand washing. These outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis resulted from calf contact and inadequate hygiene practices. The failure to adequately implement recommended interventions contributed to the second outbreak.

Zoonoses in Veterinary Students: A Systematic Review of the Literature

“…All these aspects, together with the presence of student groups assisting diseased calves (at commercial or university farms) favor the presentation of outbreaks [43–51]. Not only veterinary students have been affected by cryptosporidiosis; this way, recurrent outbreaks were reported in consecutive semesters causing 31 and 37 cases, respectively, in students between 9 th – 12 th grade from a high school and two middle schools which participated in an educational farm program [71]. In this work, the difficulty of implementing adequate hygienic measures among students is described.…”

Glycoprotein 60 Diversity in Cryptosporidium parvum Causing Human and Cattle Cryptosporidiosis in the Rural Region of Northern Tunisia

“…[20][21][22][23] However, in our study, taking into account the age of children and their kind of life (human settlement), contact with livestock is possible; however, drinking raw (unpasteurized) milk may also represent a probable risk factor for Cryptosporidium transmission in this area. [24][25][26] More investigations should be performed with large and more representative samples.…”

“…Until now, there is no affective treatment or vaccine commercially available to prevent the disease. Currently, 26 Cryptosporidium species have been named, and there is good evidence for 6 species as important causes of human cryptosporidiosis: C. hominis, C. parvum, C. meleagridis and occasionally, C. cuniculus, C. felis, and C. canis.…”

Exposure to Nontraditional Pets at Home and to Animals in Public Settings: Risks to Children

“…41 In 2004 and 2005, there were 3 E coli O157:H7 outbreaks, accounting for 173 cases from 3 states associated with direct and indirect animal contact at petting zoos. 42 Outbreaks 14 and sporadic cases of salmonellosis and outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis [53][54][55] have been described after visits to farms at which visitors had either direct or indirect contact with animals. Additional illnesses include salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, tuberculosis, rabies, orf virus infection, giardiasis, tularemia, ringworm, and infected bites or wounds.…”