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Cryptosporidiosis outbreak at an academic animal research laboratory―Colorado, 2014
Author(s) -
HancockAllen Jessica,
Alden Nisha B.,
Cronquist Alicia B.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.22630
Subject(s) - medicine , personal protective equipment , cryptosporidium , outbreak , diarrhea , occupational exposure , attack rate , environmental health , emergency medicine , veterinary medicine , covid-19 , pathology , paleontology , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , biology , feces
Background After cryptosporidiosis was reported in three workers caring for preweaned calves at an academic research laboratory, we sought to identify cases, determine risk factors, and implement control measures. Methods A cryptosporidiosis case was defined as diarrhea duration ≥72 hr, abdominal cramps, or vomiting in an animal research laboratory worker during July 14–July 31. A confirmed case had laboratory evidence of Cryptosporidium infection. Staff were interviewed regarding illness, potential exposures, training, and personal protective equipment (PPE) standard operating procedures (SOPs). Results The cryptosporidiosis attack rate (AR) was 74% (20/27); five were laboratory‐confirmed. Median job training was 2 hr including respiratory‐fit testing. No SOPs existed for doffing PPE. AR for workers who removed their gloves first was 84% (16/19) compared with 20% (1/5) for workers who removed gloves last (risk ratio = 4.2; P < 0.02). Conclusions This outbreak highlights the importance of adequate training, enforced proper PPE procedures, and promoting a culture of safety. Am. J. Ind. Med. 60:208–214, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.