5 Cryptosporidiosis

https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/crypto/

73 cases

Fewer than 5 deaths

13.7 % of cases were hospitalized

6.2 cases per 100,000 population

5.1 Epidemiologic Review

5.1.1 Disease Information

Overview: Cryptosporidiosis is a disease caused by a microscopic parasite called Cryptosporidium. Cryptosporidium, or crypto, can be found in water, food, soil, or surfaces contaminated with infected feces.

Symptoms: Symptoms typically include watery diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and weight loss.

Transmission: Transmission can occur by swallowing recreational water (e.g., swimming pools) that is contaminated with Cryptosporidiosis. Cryptosporidiosis can also be spread from person-to-person, by coming into contact with infected animals, or by eating contaminated foods.

Treatment: Most healthy patients can clear an infection without treatment. An anti-parasitic can be used on patients who require treatment.

Prevention: Prevention methods include proper hand washing, not ingesting untreated water, and drinking only pasteurized milk.

5.1.2 Demographics


Rates for <1 year of age are not displayed due low case counts.


Race Rate per 100k
American Indian or Alaska Native <5 cases
Asian <5 cases
Black or African American 19
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander <5 cases
Other Race 4.2
Unknown <5 cases
White 6.9
Two or More Races <5 cases


Black or African American people experienced a far higher rate of Cryptosporidiosis than other populations.

Rates for American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, Two or More Races, and Unknown Race are not displayed due low case counts.


Ethnicity Rate per 100k
Hispanic or Latino 5.8
Not Hispanic or Latino 5.9
Unknown <5 cases


Rates for Unknown Ethnicity are not displayed due to low case counts.

5.1.3 Outbreaks

No outbreaks were identified in 2022.

5.1.4 Monthly and Historical Comparisons


Outdoor water exposures can be an important source of Cryptosporidiosis exposures, and the higher rates in summer months may reflect that.



2022 had the the highest rate of Cryptosporidiosis in the previous 5 years.


Data for Utah and the CDC were retrieved from the CDC’s Notifiable Infectious Disease Data Tables and were available up until 2020.

5.2 Key Things to Know

  • The median duration of illness was 11 days.
  • 10% of cases reported swimming in a Salt Lake County public pool before their illness.
  • 5% of cases reported swimming at a pool in a different country.
  • 14% of cases reported exposure to natural water sources outside of Utah, including foreign travel cases.
  • 5% of cases reported exposure to natural water sources inside Utah, such as the Weber River and Jordanelle Reservoir.
  • The most common risk factors for infection were being immunocompromised (34%), foreign travel (32%), and suspect water exposure (22%).
  • The most reported location for foreign travel was Mexico. 35% of cases with foreign travel reported visiting Mexico.
  • 22% of cases were co-infected with at least one type of E. Coli.
  • 95% of cases reported having diarrhea.