Reporting & Investigation of Cryptosporidiosis

Table of Contents

A. Purpose of Surveillance and Reporting

  • To identify whether the case may be a source of infection for other persons (e.g., a diapered child, child care attendee, or food handler) and, if so, prevent further transmission.
  • To identify transmission sources of public health concern (e.g., a contaminated public water supply) and stop transmission from the source.

B. Laboratory and Healthcare Provider Reporting Requirements

Iowa Administrative Code 641-1.3(139) stipulates that the laboratory and the healthcare provider must report. The preferred method of reporting is by utilizing the Iowa Disease Surveillance System (IDSS).  However, if IDSS is not available to your facility the reporting number for Iowa HHS Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology (CADE) is (800) 362-2736; fax number (515) 281-5698, mailing address:

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, CADE
Lucas State Office Building, 5th Floor
321 E. 12th St.
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075

Postage-paid disease reporting forms are available free of charge from the Iowa HHS clearinghouse. Call (319) 398-5133 to request a supply.

Laboratory Testing Services Available 

The University of Iowa State Hygienic Laboratory (SHL) tests stool specimens for Cryptosporidium.  Submit specimens in SHL’s ova and parasite kit.  Specimen collection kits are available from SHL.  Contact SHL at (319) 335-4500 or visit the web site www.shl.uiowa.edu/kitsquotesforms/  for further instructions.

C. Local Public Health Agency Follow-up Responsibilities

Case Investigation

  • It is the LPHA’s responsibility to complete a Cryptosporidiosis case investigation in the Iowa Disease Surveillance System (IDSS) by interviewing the case and others who may be able to provide pertinent information.  Much of this information can be obtained from the case’s health care provider or the medical record.

  • Use the following guidelines in completing the investigation:

    • Record the demographic information, event information, laboratory findings, date of symptom onset, symptoms, treatment, and other clinical information.
    • When asking about exposure history (food, travel, activities, etc.), use the incubation-period for cryptosporidiosis (1-12 days).
    • Ask about travel history and group gatherings to help identify where the case became infected.
    • If possible, record any restaurants at which the case ate, including food items(s) and date consumed.
    • Ask about water exposures. If exposure is thought to be related to a swimming pool, wading pool, spray/splash pad, or spa exposure, the responsible environmental health agency should be notified (refer to the Pool Inspection Contractor Contact List) so that an exposure risk assessment can be conducted and action can be taken to prevent further exposure at that site. 
    • Ask about water supply because cryptosporidiosis may be acquired through water consumption.
    • Household/close contact, pet or other animal contact, child care, and food handler questions are designed to examine the case’s risk of having acquired the illness from, or potential for transmitting it to, these contacts. Determine whether the case attends or works at a child care and/or is a food handler or has recently shown calves at a county fair.
    • Ask if the patient knows others who have similar illness about the same time.
    • If several attempts have been made to obtain case information, but have been unsuccessful (e.g., the case or health care provider does not return calls or respond to a letter, or the case refuses to divulge information or is too ill to be interviewed), please enter as much information as has been gathered. Please enter into the Notes section the reason why any information could not be obtained. In IDSS, select the appropriate reason under the Event tab in the Event Exception field.
  • Iowa Administrative Code 641-1.3(139) stipulates that the laboratory and the healthcare provider must report. The preferred reporting method is through the Iowa Disease Surveillance System. The reporting phone number for Iowa HHS Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology (CADE) is (800) 362-2736; fax number (515) 281-5698, mailing address:

Iowa HHS, CADE
Lucas State Office Building, 5th Floor
321 E. 12th St.
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075