After handling livestock in three Michigan counties, 12 people reported symptoms, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Michigan health officials are reminding residents to be careful around livestock after an outbreak of an illness called cryptosporidiosis, which is caused by a parasite, in three counties.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and local health departments are investigating the outbreak in residents in Livingston, Ingham and Oakland counties, according to MDHHS in a Thursday press release.
“The illnesses are believed to have been caused by a parasite called cryptosporidium and occurred after people came into contact with a group of sick calves,” MDHHS wrote in the release. “To date, a total of 12 people between the ages of 19 and 56 (one confirmed, four probable and seven suspect cases) became sick with diarrhea and other symptoms between Nov. 15-21.”
The parasite is identified in the stool of infected people or animals, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Infected calves and other livestock can spread it even if they don’t seem sick.
If a person’s hands, drinking water, food or recreational water are contaminated with small amounts of infected stool from either livestock or people, they could swallow the parasite and become sick. It is not spread through properly cooked meat from animals or pasteurized milk or dairy products.
“Symptoms in people include diarrhea, stomach pain and cramping, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, fever and weight loss, and can last for several weeks,” MDHHS wrote in the release. “Treatment is available, so it is important to seek medical care if you have symptoms, especially if the symptoms do not resolve quickly.”
The state health department recommends the following steps while handling calves and other livestock:
If you become sick:
Physicians are reminded by the department to ask patients with diarrheal illnesses if they’ve recently been exposed to livestock.
Angela Mulka has a bachelor’s degree in journalism, focused on environmental science and health reporting, from Michigan State University. She realizes the importance of representation for all people in storytelling and values the field because of its commitment to uncovering truth. Born and raised in Michigan, Angela hopes to become a voice for the natural world to protect our planet for generations to come. Connect with her on Twitter @angelamulka.
Parasitic outbreak in Michigan prompts livestock warning from state … – Midland Daily News
