Health Officials Investigating ‘Crypto’ Outbreak in Pike County

Contaminated apple cider is suspected as the cause of an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in Pike County, Illinois.

In a press release from the Pike County Health Department, Director Jan Bleich reports six people were infected with the disease, with some of those people requiring hospitalization.

All of the people sickened by the disease attended an event in Barry during the Pike County Fall Color Drive two weeks ago.

Officials say the disease is caused by microscopic parasites found in water, food or on surfaces or dirty hands that have been contaminated with infected human or animal feces.

The WIC and Family Planning programs in Pike County, along with immunizations handled by the health department, are on hold until further notice.