Parasite Hits Magic Valley

(KLIX)-The South Central Public Health District has warned swimmers that a parasite outbreak is making some Magic Valley residents sick. Health district officials say cases of cryptosporidiosis, or “crypto”, have been reported in Gooding, Lincoln, and Twin Falls counties over the past couple weeks. The parasite crypto can live in human and animal digestive tracts and can spread through swimming pools and other recreational water sites that are contaminated with human or animal waste. Health district nurse Logan Hudson says, as the summer comes to an end, the district expects to see the cases subside. It causes diarrhea, cramping, fever, and nausea. In most cases people get over it without special treatment. The best way to avoid getting sick is don’t drink the water you swim in. If you are sick, you should stay out of the water for a couple of weeks.