MMWR Vol. 64 / No. SS-3 ► Cryptosporidiosis Surveillance — United States, 2011–2012

MMWR Vol. 64 / No. SS-3

MMWR Surveillance Summaries Vol. 64, No. SS-3 May 1, 2015

PDF

Cryptosporidiosis Surveillance — United States, 2011–2012 
Painter JE, Hlavsa MC, Collier SA, et al.
MMWR Surveill Summ 2015;64(No. SS-3) 

Cryptosporidiosis is a nationally notifiable gastrointestinal illness 

caused by the extremely chlorine-tolerant protozoa of the 

genus Cryptosporidium. Fifty state and two metropolitan public health 

agencies voluntarily report cases of cryptosporidiosis through CDC's 

National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System. For 2011, a total 

of 9,313 cryptosporidiosis cases (confirmed and nonconfirmed) were 

reported; for 2012, a total of 8,008 cases were reported; 5.8% and 5.3%, 

respectively, were associated with a detected outbreak. Cryptosporidiosis 

incidence rates remain elevated nationally, and rates of nonconfirmed 

cases have increased. Rates remain highest in young children, although 

rates among elderly adults are increasing. Future research is needed to 

address shifting trends in cryptosporidiosis cases, with a specific focus 

on the increase in nonconfirmed cases and increasing incidence rates 

among elderly adults.