Cryptosporidiosis and public health: workshop report

Representatives from 40 states and from regulatory and public health agencies, water utilities, and advocacy groups met last year to discuss prevention and control of waterborne cryptosporidiosis. Workgroups addressed surveillance systems and epidemiologic study designs, public health responses when oocysts are detected in drinking water, cryptosporidiosis in immunocompromised individuals, and water sampling methods and interpretation of results. The groups defined problems associated with these issues and developed strategies that could be used initially to manage these problems. An outgrowth of the workshop has been the formation of the Working Group on Waterborne Cryptosporidiosis, which holds regular teleconferences. In addition, several task forces are working to address strategies proposed in this report.