Risk of Drinking-water Outbreaks of Cryptosporidiosis in Humans Caused by Cattle in Watersheds
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20025037Keywords:
Cryptosporidium paruum, watersheds, contamination, C. paruum genotypeAbstract
There are at least two genotypes of Cryptosporidium paruum in nature-one that has only been isolated from humans (the H genotype) and one that has been isolated from a large range of mammals, including cattle and humans (the C genotype). By virtue of their presence in watersheds and the potential for water contamination with manure, cattle have often been implicated as a source of oocysts for human outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis.
A recent review of drinking-water outbreaks in North America indicated that none in the United States and only one in British Columbia, Canada were associated with the C genotype. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine prevalence of C. paruum genotypes Hand C in dairy herds in the New York City Watershed (NYCW) and illustrate the risk posed by cattle to water-drinkers in this area.