Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are collaborating with public health authorities in Rock Island and Iowa to investigate an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis. This gastrointestinal disease has affected at least 12 individuals who were volunteering at a wildlife rehabilitation facility in Rock Island County.

Public health officials have identified these cases as probable or confirmed instances of the disease, following contact with raccoons at Pat’s Bandits in Hillsdale. The affected individuals are residents from Iowa and four counties in Illinois. The volunteers had contact with the raccoons between June 22 and July 3.

Authorities advise anyone who experienced diarrhea within two weeks after assisting at this facility to seek medical attention and consider testing for cryptosporidiosis. This parasitic infection causes watery diarrhea that can be intermittent over several weeks. It can spread through feces, from animals to people, person-to-person contact, and swimming in contaminated water.

Healthcare providers treating individuals with diarrheal illness who reported volunteering at Pat’s Bandits should consider diagnosing cryptosporidiosis. They should also inform their local health department for follow-up with affected individuals.

Symptoms typically begin two to ten days after infection, averaging seven days, and last one to two weeks. Most healthy individuals recover without treatment, though anti-diarrheal medicine might help manage symptoms under medical supervision.

Preventive measures include practicing good hygiene such as washing hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the toilet, changing diapers, handling animals, and before eating or preparing food.