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BACKGROUND: Animal research laboratory workers are at risk for zoonoses, including cryptosporidiosis through fecal-oral transmission. Pre-weaned calves are common reservoirs. After cryptosporidiosis was reported in 3 workers caring for calves at academic research Facility A, we sought to identify additional cases, determine risk factors, and implement control measures.
METHODS: The entire cohort, 28 animal husbandry staff, were interviewed regarding illness, potential exposures, training, and personal protective equipment (PPE) procedures. Ill persons were offered stool testing. A probable case of cryptosporidiosis had any diarrhea with duration ≥72 hours, abdominal cramps, or vomiting in a person who worked at Facility A during July 14–31; confirmed cases had illness meeting the probable case definition and laboratory evidence of Cryptosporidium infection.
RESULTS: The response rate was 100% (28/28); 1 worker could not be classified as well or ill and was excluded. The cryptosporidiosis attack rate was 78% (21/27); 24% (5/21) were confirmed cases, and 1 worker was hospitalized. All 27 (100%) staff performed animal care tasks (e.g., power-washing feces) leading to substantial fecal exposure. Median job training was 2 hours, including 1 hour dedicated to respiratory-fit testing. No standard operating procedure existed for doffing PPE; the disease attack rate for workers who removed their gloves first was 84% (16/19), compared with 33% (2/6) for workers who removed gloves last (risk ratio = 2.53; P = .03). Fifty-nine percent (16/27) of workers reported removing their masks when performing animal care. Anecdotally, 3 staff stated that, pre-outbreak, facility leadership had informed them that cryptosporidiosis was guaranteed.
CONCLUSIONS: This outbreak highlights the importance of adequate training, enforced proper PPE procedures, and promotion of a culture of safety when working with animals.