Cryptosporidium

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-007021",
  "term": "Cryptosporidium",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. A protozoan microbe associated with the disease cryptosporidiosis in man. The disease can be transmitted through ingestion of drinking water, person-to-person contact, or other pathways, and can cause acute diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, and can be fatal as it was in the Milwaukee episode.\n\n2. A microorganism commonly found in lakes and rivers which is highly resistant to disinfection. Cryptosporidium has caused several large outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness, with symptoms that include diarrhea, nausea, and/or stomach cramps. People with severely weakened immune systems are likely to have more severe and more persistent symptoms than healthy individuals.\n\n3. A microorganism commonly found in lakes and rivers which is highly resistant to disinfection. Cryptosporidium has caused several large outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness, with symptoms that include diarrhea, nausea, and/or stomach cramps. People with severely weakened immune systems (that is, severely immuno-compromised) are likely to have more severe and more persistent symptoms than healthy individuals.",
  "subject": "Health and safety",
  "references": [
    "Terms of Env; Terms of Environment",
    "Safe Drinking Water Act Glossary",
    "Drinking Water Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/cryptosporidium/"
}