Can last a few days to a few weeks. Can be fatal for people with weakened immune symptoms. Some may not develop symptoms at all. Doctors may prescribe diarrhea medication. Prevention - Chlorination alone not always completely effective.
Boiling water kills the organism.
Avoid contaminated water and food. Wash hands after using toilet and before handling food. A parasite believed linked to three deaths continues to cycle through this city's water supply because its sewage plant is upstream from the water supply, officials confirmed Friday. It stands to reason that is has some influence on that water plant. North Battleford's mayor, meanwhile, defended staff over reports the cryptosporidium parasite got into the water through a faulty filter at the water treatment plant.