Intestinal Ailment Traced To Parasite, Health Officials Say

State health officials have confirmed a mysterious intestinal ailment reported by dozens of Wood River Valley residents can be traced, in part, to a parasite.

Now, they are looking at the extent of the problem.

The South Central District Health Department released its findings last week, following tests of individuals suffering from giardia-like symptoms.

Thirty-one people showed up at a health clinic on Nov. 7. Only six were tested, three of which tested positive for Cryptosporidium parva. The district planned to hold more clinics.

Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite which can be found in domestic or farm animals, unwashed vegetables or contaminated water, district nurse Cheryle Becker said. She said all the valley water systems tested pure in the latest checks.

The symptoms include diarrhea, cramping and weight loss.

Gimlet resident Jeremie Dreyfuss said dozens of people are suffering symptoms physicians will not treat because giardia tests are coming back negative.

Ketchum resident Dick Dahlgren said he turned up with gallbladder symptoms as well. Both Cryptosporidium and giardia can hide in the gallbladder.

In 1993, 400,000 people in Milwaukee became ill after drinking water contaminated with Cryptosporidium, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Healthy people may be able to shake off the symptoms in a couple of weeks. But in some, especially with immune deficiencies, the infection can remain and even become life-threatening.